Uniting for Freedom, Democracy & Equality​

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
1988 Massacre
Activities
Activities Outside Iran
Annual Grand Gathering
Articles
Coronavirus
Death Commissions
Economic
Free Iran 2020 Global Summit
Free Iran 2021
Free Iran 2022
Free Iran 2023
Free Iran 2024
Free Iran 2024 World Summit
Free Iran World Summit
Free Iran World Summit 2021
Free Iran World Summit 2023
Grand Gathering 2016
Grand Gathering 2017
Grand Gathering 2018
Grand Gathering 2018- Videos
Grand Gathering 2019
Grand Gathering 2020
Human Rights
International Supports
Iran Protests
Iran Revolution
Iranian Assemblies
Iranian Resistance
Maryam Rajavi
Media Gallery
National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
News
Opinion
People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran(PMOI/MEK)
Quotes
Reports
Resistance Activities Inside Iran
Socio - Economic Crisis
The Free Iran World Summit 2019
Videos
Women

Remarks by Former US Ambassador Mitchell Reiss at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit – Day 2

Former US Ambassador Mitchell Reiss

On June 30, 2024,  at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit – Day 2 hosted at the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) headquarters in Paris, former U.S. Ambassador Mitchell Reiss delivered a powerful speech.

In his discussion of the battle of ideas, Reiss declared the regime in Tehran intellectually bankrupt, unable to provide prosperity, justice, or security to its people. In stark contrast, he lauded Madam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a free and democratic Iran as a model of governance that respects individual rights and human dignity.

The full text of Ambassador Mitchell Reiss’s speech follows:

When I was at the State Department, one of my responsibilities was assessing trends to determine whether U.S. policies were working or failing, whether we were winning or losing. I want to do that today by briefly examining the MEK and NCRI efforts against the regime in Tehran across three different domains.

First, let’s look at the situation inside Iran. We see a regime that is brittle and insecure. Consider this. The morality police are now wearing bulletproof vests when they’re on the streets in Iran. Why is that? A regime that fears its own people and will not let them speak freely, will not let them vote in a fair and open election.

A regime that lacks all legitimacy. At the same time, we see a democratic resistance movement inside Iran that is strong, widespread, and growing. Their personal courage is inspiring. The trends here are positive, moving in the right direction.

Second, what’s happening in the battle outside Iran? Outside Iran, the regime, its allies, and its proxies continue to spread misinformation. Academics repeat and spread these lies. The MEK, NCRI, and their friends are making some progress in countering these perceptions, but we need to do more. We need to showcase Madam Rajavi, as we see her. An inspiring, committed, passionate, and democratic leader. More has to be done here to win more friends and allies around the world.

Former US Ambassador Mitchell Reiss

Let me turn to the third battlefield, the battle of ideas. What ideas do the mullahs in Tehran have to offer? They’re intellectually bankrupt. They can’t deliver the basic functions of every government. They can’t deliver prosperity to the Iranian people. The economy is failing. Inflation is high. Unemployment is high, especially among young people.

The mullahs also cannot deliver justice to the Iranian people. The justice system is arbitrary and corrupt. Iran today is a country where democrats and human rights advocates sit in jails, while criminals are on the police force and in the government.

The mullahs cannot deliver security to the Iranian people. In fact, they keep themselves in power by repressing the people, controlling what they read, what they say, and even what they wear. The regime’s only contributions to the world these days are violence and terror.

Now, let’s compare this record of repression with the vision articulated by Madam Rajavi. The battle of ideas begins with her Ten-Point Plan for a free and democratic Iran. It’s a model of governance with respect for individual rights and human dignity. On this battlefield of ideas, you are not just winning, you’ve already won. You’ve already won.

Former US Ambassador Mitchell Reiss

On this battlefield of ideas, the mullahs in Tehran are completely unarmed. They can’t compete. They have nothing. Your ideas, on the other hand, have appeal all over the world.

They’re enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Your ideals appeal to people all over the world who cherish freedom and democracy. These ideas, these values, are your greatest source of strength. They are why we stand with you and why we support you, and they are why you will prevail.

Thank you.

Recent Posts

Remarks by Former US Ambassador Mitchell Reiss at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit – Day 2