Message to the Washington, D.C. conference in support of Iran uprising

Maryam Rajavi: Time for western governments to recognize the Iranian people’s struggle for regime change

Representatives of Iranian-American communities in the US hosted a conference in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, December 17, 2022. The conference in support of the Iranian people’s uprising for a democratic and free republic featured some prominent American personalities. Maryam Rajavi addressed the conference online.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2017-2021); Governor Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington (1997-2005), Secretary of Commerce (2009-2011) and U.S. Ambassador to China (2011-2014); Samuel Brownback, U.S. Senator (1996-2011), Governor of Kansas (2011-2018) and the U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (2018-2021); General Jack Keane, Former Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army, and Mrs. Linda Chavez, former director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, were among the speakers.

The conference received extensive coverage in the world’s media, including the Agence France Press, Associated Press, and Reuters.
Maryam Rajavi told the conference:

Distinguished personalities,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Supporters of the Iranian Resistance and Freedom-loving Iranians,

My sincere greetings to every one of you.
Our people – especially the Iranian protesters – see the outcome of their sacrifices and sufferings in your support for the Iranian uprising and Revolution.
Today one can see everywhere the light of the flames created by the suffering of tortured prisoners, the pain of the martyrs’ parents, and the battle of fearless rebels.

Iran uprising, one of the important developments in 2022

The current uprising in Iran is one of the world’s most important developments in 2022.
These uprisings will certainly lead to the overthrow of the religious tyranny that will shake the world. It has been exactly 94 days since the uprising started.
During this period, the regime killed more than 700 protesters in the streets and arrested at least 30,000 people.
Last week, they committed another crime by executing two protesters. However, these crimes cannot stop the uprising.
In contrast, the uprisings have become more focused on overthrowing the regime, and a large part of the population has joined the movement.
“Death to Khamenei” can be heard everywhere indicating the public’s desire to overthrow the regime.
High school students have joined the Revolution, and the women participating in the protests chant, “With Hijab or without Hijab, let us all go for a revolution.”
Today, the regime has no social or political solution to offer.
Even if it intensifies the repression or continues with the present level of suppression, in any case, it cannot return to the power balance before the uprising and shall be overthrown.

Iran uprising and 4 decades of resistance for freedom

In fact, the Iranian uprising has deep roots in four decades of people’s resistance against this regime.
The participating protesters are deeply aware and see a bright future ahead of them.
Four decades of selfless resistance against the mullahs’ religious dictatorship has created a progressive culture of struggle: 120,000 who laid down their lives for freedom, including 30,000 political prisoners massacred in 1988, hundreds of thousands of tortured prisoners, tens of thousands of freedom-loving women, imprisoned, tortured, or killed in the struggle against this regime, the long-term perseverance of an organized movement on its principles, drawing the line with the former and current dictatorships, and defending the Iranian people’s freedom and sovereignty are the roots of today’s glorious uprising in Iran.
The activities of the MEK Resistance Units in recent years, despite numerous arrests and blows, have affected the activities of rebellious youth in these months.

Western policy on Iran needs to change

Dear Friends!
A significant change is in the making in Iran.
It is time for western governments to change their policy toward Iran.
They should recognize the Iranian people’s right to resist and defend themselves against the brutal repression of the religious dictatorship.
Today, we are not only saying that the world is suffering from terrorism, war, and insecurity because of the religious tyranny in Iran, but that Iran’s uprising and Revolution have a gift for the Middle East and the world, which is peace, friendship, and peaceful coexistence.
Fortunately, in the United States, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have expressed their sincere and bipartisan support for Iran’s uprising.
In Canada, Australia, and Europe, public opinion and parliaments have also supported the Iranian people.
In such circumstances, the regime would do everything to prevent the US from providing practical support to the uprisings.
Unfortunately, the US diplomacy is trying to observe Khamenei’s red lines by adopting double standards.

In its media approach, the US blames the regime’s repression, expresses mild sympathy with part of the protests and pays no price for such stances.
In practical policy, however, they try to reach an agreement.
While Khamenei, in his public speech, rejects any form of agreement on the nuclear program, he leaves the doors open to secretly exchange messages through mediators.
He ensures that nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group continue because the regime needs to continue the talks with the West to confront the uprisings.
The time has come for western governments to end this policy and listen to the voice of the Iranian people and resistance, who have kept the flame of resistance for freedom alight for four decades by paying the heaviest price.
Every day for the past three months, we have heard this cry from the streets of many Iranian cities that we are moving toward the regime’s overthrow.
So, it is time for the US and all Western governments to support the Iranian people’s struggle for regime change.

A few days ago, the majority of the ECOSOC voted to expel the mullahs’ regime from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. We welcome this decision.
This illegitimate regime does not represent the people of Iran in any way and must be shunned by the international community and expelled from the United Nations and its various agencies.

Iranian people’s expectations from the world

Ladies and gentlemen,
A few years ago, the US designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity, which the Western world should do now.
More importantly, the time has come for the United States to recognize the legitimacy of the fight of the Iranian youths against this evil and terrorist force.
The US should officially recognize the Iranian people’s Revolution to establish a republic based on democratic values.
Embassies and institutions affiliated with the regime that provide support for repression inside Iran must be shut down.
Any form of negotiation and making concessions to the criminal rulers of Iran should be stopped.
Iran’s people have risen to defeat the monster of repression and terrorism.
They have chosen to pay the price of freedom with their blood.
May the world rise in solidarity.
Thank you all.