The recent nationwide uprising in Iran has led to the people seeking an end to the autocratic regime after decades of suppression, execution, and poverty. The protesters’ slogans demand an end to the dictatorship, which is reflected in the ongoing uprising. Against this background, Struan Stevenson, former MEP, and Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change (CiC), launched his book titled “Dictators and Revolution – Iran, a Contemporary History” in the European Parliament.
Stevenson‘s book traces the contemporary history of Iran from the beginning of the 20th century, focusing on the country’s ongoing uprising. The book provides insights into the nature of the uprising and explains why no dictatorial regime can be conceived as an alternative to the current regime. The book launch was moderated by Fahime Maktabi, who introduced the new book to the audience.
In attendance at the book launch was MEP from Italy, Gianna Gancia, who thanked Stevenson for his important work exposing Iran’s theocratic regime.
Stevenson, during his presentation, explained that the ongoing uprising in Iran has lasted for six months, with people taking to the streets in huge numbers across many towns and cities. However, the government has responded brutally, with over 750 people killed, many of them women and children, and over 30,000 people detained and tortured.
Stevenson also shed light on the history of the Pahlavi dynasty and the role of the British Petroleum (BP) company in Iranian affairs. BP was found to be paying more in tax to the British Treasury for several years than in license fees to the Iranian government, which led to the nationalization of the oil companies exploiting the Iranian people.
The Shah of Iran then became an autocrat, involving only one political party, that he ruled with an iron fist. The Shah also introduced the SAVAK secret police, who executed and tortured innumerable political prisoners and killed academics, literary figures, and artists.
Stevenson expressed his astonishment that Reza Pahlavi, the grandson of the Reza Shah, had been invited to the Munich Security Conference as a representative of the alleged opposition to the current regime. He also revealed that Reza Pahlavi admitted in an interview that he is in communication with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the equivalent of the Gestapo. Stevenson believes that Reza Pahlavi is nothing more than an opportunist who will do nothing for the people.
Geir Haarde, former Prime Minister of Iceland, expressed his appreciation for the book and how it provides a comprehensive understanding of the history and context of Iran. He believes that the mullahs stole the revolution in 1979, and that the people of Iran have rejected both the monarchy and the religious dictatorship.
Haarde sees a great opportunity for the people of Iran to free themselves from the religious dictatorship, and he believes that the appeasement process of recent years has not worked. Haarde also stated that Reza Pahlavi, who was in Munich recently, is not the solution.
Kimmo Sasi, former Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, praised the ten-point plan by Mrs. Rajavi as an excellent plan for a democratic Iran that respects human rights. He expressed that the people of Iran do not want a monarchy or a religious dictatorship and that there must be a new path. Sasi was also shocked to hear about the meeting that would be taking place in the European Parliament with someone whom he deemed an ultimate disgrace.
Mario Galea, former Secretary of State for Older Persons, and Care in Malta thanked Mr. Stevenson for his research on the present situation in Iran. He was shocked to hear about the meeting taking place in the European Parliament with someone he deemed an ultimate disgrace. Galea explained that there are two traditional pillars of evil in Iran: the Pahlavi dynasty and the mullahs’ theocracy.
Paulo Casaca, former MEP, believed that the state apparatus in Iran is delusional to think they can put the clock 50 years back and get back to business with a shot. He expressed that it is impossible, especially when someone like Mr. Pahlavi has not dissociated himself from the current Iranian regime’s nuclear program and aggressive imperial actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards outside Iran’s borders. Casaca referred to Mr. Pahlavi as a sort of double agent who represents a fake opposition to fool the West.
In conclusion, the book launch of “Dictators and Revolution – Iran, a Contemporary History” provided insights into the ongoing uprising in Iran, the history of the Pahlavi dynasty, and the role of the BP company in Iranian affairs.
The book by Struan Stevenson is an important contribution to the knowledge of Iranian affairs, and it sheds light on the nature of the uprising and why no dictatorial regime can be conceived as an alternative to the current regime.
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