During a press conference convened on Wednesday, September 6, 2023m at the United Kingdom Parliament, distinguished speakers, including Members of Parliament, convened to deliberate on the actions of the Iranian regime and the pressing imperative to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
The conference featured presentations from key figures such as Hossein Abedini, who represented the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) Office in the UK, as well as Bob Blackman, a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party, David Jones, also a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party, and Steve McCabe, a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party.
Hossein Abedini, serving as the representative of the NCRI Office in the UK, shed light on the Iranian regime’s vigorous endeavors to suppress dissidents and eliminate democratic alternatives. He shared vital insights regarding the regime’s strategies to circumvent sanctions and gain access to global markets, underscoring the necessity for international action to counter these activities and hold the regime accountable.
Bob Blackman, a Member of Parliament, emphasized the significance of revelations brought forth by the NCRI and the personal risks individuals undertake to gather and disseminate information about the Iranian regime. He stressed that the Tehran regime actively seeks to evade sanctions, amassing vast sums to support global terrorism, thereby posing a direct threat not only to the UK but to all who cherish freedom and democracy.
Mr. Blackman emphasized the need for collective action alongside international allies to combat these activities, especially in nations through which the regime funnels its funds. He called for stringent measures against front companies engaged in illicit activities. Furthermore, Mr. Blackman cautioned against the perils of a fragmented opposition and encouraged unity among those advocating for freedom, with a particular emphasis on the NCRI and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) as primary sources of resistance within Iran.
In the United Kingdom, he stressed the importance of collaborative efforts with allies, including cooperation with the United States, in imposing sanctions and prosecuting individuals collaborating with Tehran to evade sanctions. Designating the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization was deemed crucial, as existing sanctions are being circumvented by the regime. Mr. Blackman urged the British government to take action, akin to the prescription of the Wagner Group, and hold the IRGC accountable for its actions.
Mr. Blackman emphasized the significance of ongoing efforts at the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate and document the regime’s brutal crackdown on dissent and resistance. Those responsible for acts of murder and torture in Iran must face international courts. He raised concerns about individuals in the UK being targeted and Tehran’s attempts to silence opposition, applying pressure on journalists reporting on Iranian affairs, which he deemed a stain on democracy and freedom.
David Jones, another Member of Parliament, played a pivotal role in initiating the conference and addressing the audience. He stressed the urgent need to impose sanctions on the IRGC and the Iranian regime, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in addressing the regime’s threats. Mr. Jones discussed the regime’s endeavors to circumvent sanctions and the necessity of comprehensive sanctions against the IRGC.
Steve McCabe, a Member of Parliament, followed Bob Blackman and expressed his gratitude for Hossein and the NCRI’s efforts in exposing the actions of the IRGC. He reiterated the call for the UK government to impose sanctions on the IRGC. Mr. McCabe highlighted the IRGC’s role in stifling civil society and freedom in Iran, as well as its endeavors to undermine the NCRI and Maryam Rajavi due to their democratic alternative.
Mr. McCabe underscored the IRGC’s increasing influence on the Iranian economy and the importance of economic crime laws and transparency in countering such organizations. He drew parallels between the prescription of the Wagner Group in Russia and the imperative to prescribe the IRGC. He expressed concerns about IRGC activities in the UK, including attempted assassinations, attacks on journalists, and threats to members of parliament.
The conference underscored the immediate need to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and called for international cooperation in addressing the actions of the Iranian regime. It highlighted the urgency of taking action to safeguard freedom, democracy, and global peace.
