Speech at the Conference in Washington, DC: A FREE IRAN: Solution to Warmongering & Terror, Internal Repression
Maryam Rajavi: The recent election was a de facto referendum rejecting the clerical regime
On Saturday, March 9, 2024, a conference entitled, “A Free Iran: Solution to Warmongering & Terror, Internal Repression,” was held in Washington D.C., hosting the former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Iranians residing in the US, political dignitaries, and some former American officials, including General James Jones, General Wesley Clark, and Ambassador Robert Joseph attended the conference. Maryam Rajavi joined the conference online and told the audience:
I salute you all. The solution to the Iranian question, which is the focal point of your assembly, has never been as crucial as today. Apart from the ongoing suppression, killings, and executions in Iran, the ruling mullahs have also posed a threat to peace and security across vast regions of the world, from the Persian Gulf and the entire Middle East to the Red Sea, North Africa, and even Ukraine.
At the same time, it has never been more evident that the only solution lies in the overthrow of the clerical regime and the establishment of democracy in Iran. This can only be achieved through the efforts of the Iranian people and their organized Resistance.
Iranian people determined to overthrow the regime
The Iranian people have shown their desire to overthrow the regime during their uprisings. A desire that is embodied by an organized nationwide force.
The mullahs try to delay their overthrow. Therefore, Khamenei tries to show a powerful image of the regime in the region while it is at its weakest state. The mullahs’ sham election on March 1 represents its fragile situation.
The PMOI/MEK‘s social headquarters inside Iran monitored 1,941 polling stations across the country. Their observations concluded that the number of participants in this election was around 5 million, indicating an 8% turnout. However, even this 8% should not be regarded as the regime’s social support. A significant portion of those who participated did so by coercion because they feared to lose their jobs.
Despite all the rigging and fraud, the regime officials and media acknowledged people’s rejection of the regime and its election, and the Tsunami of invalid votes.
The election turnout was the outcome of a growing conflict between Iranian society and the religious dictatorship, highlighting the unstable state of the regime. The nationwide boycott of the elections was a de facto referendum rejecting the regime.
This is the sound of the footsteps of uprisings heralding the overthrow of religious fascism.
Solution for the Future
The regime is in a deadlock and on the verge of overthrow. It resorts to various tactics such as escalating suppression and executing political prisoners. It is also laying the groundwork for terrorist attacks against the PMOI/MEK and the Iranian Resistance.
The main goal of the sham trial of over 100 members of the Iranian Resistance in absentia is to deter the younger generation from joining the PMOI and Resistance Units inside Iran.
The regime also intends to exert pressure on members of the Resistance in Ashraf-3, Albania, whom Secretary Pompeo, General Jones, General Clark and Ambassador Joseph, have previously visited.
On the other hand, Khamenei’s warmongering sought to delay the regime’s overthrow by an uprising and organized Resistance. The regime’s actions and the attacks carried out by IRGC proxies from the Red Sea to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, have created extraordinary circumstances.
This situation enables us to correctly assess the past and see the future solution.
When it comes to the past, history has proven that appeasement leads to war. The change in behavior of Iran’s rulers is an illusion. The policy of providing incentives to the mullahs has only emboldened them, bringing the world closer to war.
As you emphasized, Mr. Secretary, in your recent article, “Appeasement has never worked a single time in history, and it won’t work now.” [1]
The right solution for Iran
Now let us look forward to the future for the right solution.
One solution is to contain the mullahs’ regime, which is the source of warmongering and terrorism. While this is a step forward and may have a temporary impact, it will not resolve the problem.
The correct and fundamental solution lies in the overthrow of the clerical regime by the Iranian people through their uprisings and organized Resistance. Ignoring the desires of the Iranian people, the explosive conditions in Iran, and the crucial role of organized resistance has been the missing link in the policy on Iran.
Practical steps must be taken to address the suppression of the people of Iran and the regime’s warmongering in the region.
Comprehensive sanctions, including those on oil trade and banking activities are crucial and must be implemented.
However, the only solution is uprising to overthrow the regime.
The people’s uprisings and the September 2022 uprising, along with thousands of anti-repression acts and operations by Resistance Units in most Iranian provinces, as well as the recent nationwide boycott of the sham elections, show that the regime’s overthrow is within reach.
This is the correct path to establishing democracy in Iran and promoting peace and tranquility in the region and the world.
The current situation requires that the international community adopt a right and firm policy vis-à-vis the religious dictatorship ruling Iran.
Yes, Iran will be free and a democratic republic will be established and as Abraham Lincoln said, “A government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Now it is the responsibility of the international community to recognize the Iranian people’s struggle to overthrow the regime and the Resistance Units’ right to combat the IRGC.
I thank you all very much.
[1] The Wall Street Journal, February 8, 2024.
