Washington, DC – February 26, 2025: Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed members of the US House of Representatives during a hearing held by the Human Rights and Democracy Caucus. Speaking at a crucial moment in Iran’s history, she provided an update on the evolving situation in her homeland and the broader implications for regional and global stability.
At the outset, Mrs. Rajavi paid tribute to Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras, former Vice President of the European Parliament, who survived an assassination attempt. She acknowledged his unwavering support for the Iranian Resistance.
Iran’s Volatile Situation
Mrs. Rajavi described Iran as being in an explosive state, with the ruling religious dictatorship weaker than ever. She pointed to the regime’s economic bankruptcy, corruption, and increasing domestic unrest, fueled by Resistance Units and defiant youth. She asserted that the government’s reliance on widespread executions and repression was a desperate attempt to maintain power.
She highlighted the execution of political dissidents, mentioning Behrouz Ehsani, a supporter of the MEK, who defiantly refused to bargain for his life, declaring his willingness to sacrifice himself for Iran’s freedom. Over four decades, Rajavi noted, the regime has executed more than 120,000 individuals on political charges.
The Illusion of Reform
Mrs. Rajavi dismissed the notion that the Iranian regime could be reformed through negotiations, calling it a dangerous illusion. She cited Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s recent statements rejecting any meaningful diplomatic engagement. According to Rajavi, negotiations have historically been a tool for deception, allowing Tehran to advance its nuclear ambitions and destructive regional policies. She reiterated that the Iranian people’s only path to freedom is the overthrow of the regime.
She emphasized that sanctions alone, while weakening the regime, would not bring about its downfall. Instead, she underscored the necessity of an organized resistance movement with an active presence inside Iran. She highlighted the role of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and its extensive network, particularly the Resistance Units, in leading the struggle. Women, she stated, are at the forefront of this movement, challenging a deeply misogynistic regime.
A Democratic Future for Iran
Mrs. Rajavi outlined the NCRI’s vision for a free and democratic Iran. She described the organization as a broad coalition with over 450 members, representing diverse political and social backgrounds. The NCRI, she explained, has a concrete plan for Iran’s transition, emphasizing women’s rights, religious freedom, ethnic autonomy, and a secular, non-nuclear government.
She reiterated that the NCRI does not seek to impose a new regime but aims to facilitate the transfer of power to the Iranian people. She detailed a roadmap for this transition, which includes the establishment of a provisional government lasting no longer than six months, followed by free elections for a National and Constituent Assembly. Once formed, this body would draft a new constitution, after which the provisional government would step down, ensuring power is placed in the hands of the people.
Call for a Firm Policy on Iran
Maryam Rajavi criticized past policy failures on Iran, attributing them to the international community’s reluctance to recognize the democratic alternative posed by the NCRI. She praised a resolution introduced in Congress that rejects both religious and monarchic dictatorships while affirming the right of Iranians and Resistance Units to confront the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and repressive state forces.
She urged the US to adopt a decisive approach, including:
- Reinstating all UN Security Council resolutions against Iran’s nuclear program through the snapback mechanism.
- Placing the Iranian regime under Chapter VII of the UN Charter due to its threats to global security.
- Recognizing the Iranian Resistance’s right to overthrow the regime and supporting the Resistance Units’ fight against the IRGC.
Mrs. Rajavi concluded her remarks by emphasizing that a free Iran would contribute to regional and global peace, urging lawmakers to stand firmly in support of the Iranian people’s aspirations for democracy.
