On May 31, 2025, Lord Steve McCabe, a prominent advocate for the Iranian Resistance, spoke at The Second Free Iran 2025 Conference near Paris, rallying global support for democratic change in Iran. The event united lawmakers, political figures, and human rights advocates in endorsing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as the credible alternative to Iran’s ruling theocracy.
As a key member of the British Committee for Iran Freedom, Lord McCabe highlighted the growing global rejection of Iran’s regime, backed by over 4,000 parliamentarians worldwide, including 600 from the UK. He praised recent UK actions, such as targeting the regime’s operatives and designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, but stressed these steps are only the beginning.
Lord McCabe called on the UK government to formally endorse Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a democratic Iran and engage directly with the NCRI. He emphasized that the Iranian people alone hold the power to shape their nation’s future, with the NCRI uniquely equipped to represent their democratic vision.
In closing, he cautioned that overlooking this organized democratic movement would be a grave mistake. “Iran’s freedom is inevitable,” he affirmed.
Member of the House of Lords of the UK @steve_mccabe: Support for the #NCRIAlternative is growing — over 4,000 parliamentarians and 100 former world leaders globally. In the #UK alone, more than 600 MPs now back the cause—and that number keeps rising.https://t.co/xVltKDK1OX
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) May 31, 2025
The full transcript of the speech follows.
President-elect Madam Rajavi, honorable colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to join you again in the home of the Iranian resistance alongside friends from all around the world.
I’m proud to be a long-time member of the British Committee for Iran Freedom, over many years now, both as a member of parliament and more recently as a member of the House of Lords.
Since its founding by the late Lord Corbett and subsequent leadership of the late Sir David Amess, our committee has consistently called for a firm approach to Iran’s regime by proscribing the IRGC and supporting the Iranian people and their organized resistance in establishing a secular democratic republic.
Today, that position represents a growing international consensus reflected in the support of over 4,000 parliamentarians and about a hundred former leaders globally.
And as we’ve just heard, now over 600. I think it was 500 when the book was presented the other week, now over 600, British Parliamentarians and rising and rising.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has now promised a new legal framework, which will give British ministers the powers to proscribe the IRGC, something we have called for a very long time.
This follows moves to place the IRGC and Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence on the foreign influence registration scheme, resulting in anyone acting for or on behalf of the Iranian regime, the IRGC or MOIS being forced to register or face up to five years in prison.
These are welcome and long overdue measures. The IRGC is a terrorist organization and should be banned across the globe.
As the British as the British government now acts against the regime, I urge it to take the next step, support the Iranian people’s fight for a democratic future. That means recognizing Madame Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
.@steve_mccabe: As the UK moves against the regime, it must take the next step—support the Iranian people's fight for democracy. That means backing @Maryam_Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan & recognizing the #NCRIAlternative as the only viable path forward. https://t.co/xVltKDK1OX
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) May 31, 2025
And the NCRI is the only viable democratic alternative. It also means opening dialogue and cooperation with the NCRI to hold the Mullahs’ regime to account. If there’s any doubt, just look at the film we’ve just seen.
Just look at how the regime fears the NCRI, its growing Resistance Units, and the support it enjoys amongst young people. And of course, as we’ve heard about the truck strike, look at the way they have responded to the strikers.
Intimidation, brutality, threats to take away their trucks and their fuel permits. This is how that regime behaves. We did hear earlier about a Tuesday statement.
I won’t read it, but we did have another statement earlier this morning from your friends in the British Trade Union movement and Friends of Iran, Lord Clark of Hampstead and Roger Lyons, who’ve been with us for very many years.
Britain needs to open discussions with the NCRI soon. Only the Iranian people can determine and shape Iran’s future. And no one is better prepared, more committed, more organized, and capable of representing and delivering on the people’s democratic aspirations than the NCRI and Madame Rajavi.
Failure to back this democratic force for change could be a huge strategic mistake. A free and democratic Iran is what the Iranian people want, and it’s what the Middle East, Europe, and the world need. It will happen. Iran will be free.
