On June 18, 2025, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg in a significant conference titled “Building a Genuine, Modern Democracy.” Her speech marked a pivotal moment in international support for the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and democratic change.

Addressing Members of the European Parliament and international dignitaries, Mrs. Rajavi expressed her gratitude for their solidarity with the Iranian Resistance and their commitment to human rights. She began by underlining the critical moment facing Iran and the region, emphasizing that the fundamental conflict is not recent—it has persisted for 44 years, since June 20, 1981. This ongoing struggle is between the Iranian people and the ruling theocratic regime, and its only solution, she argued, is the regime’s overthrow by the people of Iran and their organized resistance.

Mrs. Rajavi addressed Iran’s nuclear issue, stating that despite repeated calls to abandon the nuclear program and negotiate, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains committed to pursuing nuclear weapons. He views them as essential to the regime’s survival and dominance in the region. This strategy, she warned, comes at the expense of the Iranian people, who are subjected to war, terror, and repression. Yet, she declared, the people of Iran will no longer tolerate this tyranny.

Speech at the European Parliament- Strasbourg
Today, from the home of the peoples of Europe, a unified voice was heard in support of the people of Iran, the Iranian Resistance, and the network of Resistance Units in Iran. That voice declared that the only solution to this crisis… pic.twitter.com/CyF5WJtcnk

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) June 18, 2025

In her remarks, Rajavi also honored the approaching anniversary of the nationwide resistance against religious fascism and paid tribute to the martyrs and political prisoners of Iran. She described their sacrifices as both tragic and heroic, symbols of a society determined not to bow to authoritarianism.

The increasing use of executions was another focal point of her speech. Since Pezeshkian assumed office, over 1,350 prisoners have been executed, with 650 in 2025 alone—2.5 times more than the same period the previous year. At least 60 political prisoners now face death sentences, primarily for their affiliation with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and their advocacy for a democratic society.

Rajavi also condemned the clerical regime’s broader campaign of intimidation, including a mass trial in absentia of 104 PMOI members. She emphasized that these actions aim to terrorize young Iranians, suppress the growing Resistance Units, and facilitate terrorist plots abroad.

Despite brutal repression, Rajavi asserted that the movement for democratic change remains unbroken. Citing Massoud Rajavi, the Resistance’s leader, she proclaimed that Iranians are preparing for the final battle to overthrow the regime.

Maryam Rajavi then introduced the “Third Option”—a strategic vision the NCRI has promoted for over two decades. This path rejects both appeasement of the regime and foreign military intervention. Instead, it supports democratic change driven by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. She presented the NCRI’s ten-point plan, originally introduced at the Council of Europe in 2006, as a roadmap for Iran’s democratic future. It includes:

• A republic based on the separation of religion and state

• Gender equality

• Ethnic minority autonomy

• Abolition of the death penalty

• Judicial independence

• A non-nuclear Iran committed to peace

Rajavi elaborated on four foundational elements of this democratic vision:

1. Establishing Genuine Democracy:
   A future Iran must be built on popular sovereignty and the people’s right to shape their destiny through direct participation. Governance should be democratic at all levels, and no authority should hold unchecked power.

2. Pluralism and Inclusion:
   Rajavi emphasized the necessity of managing political diversity through democratic norms. She affirmed that all political, ethnic, religious, and cultural identities must be fully respected, protected, and allowed to thrive under equal citizenship.

3. Democratic Transition:
   After the regime’s fall, a provisional government—limited to six months—will oversee the organization of free elections for a Constituent Assembly. This body will draft a new constitution and appoint a new, accountable government.

4. Resistance Capabilities and Vision:
   Rajavi pointed to the Resistance’s long-standing organization, financial independence, and network of thousands of Resistance Units in Iran. Ashraf 3 in Albania, home to PMOI members including 1,000 women leaders, exemplifies this readiness. These women, she noted, have inspired broader social change in Iran.

The Resistance, she declared, rejects both the current regime and any return to monarchy. With the slogan “No to the Shah, No to the Mullahs,” the movement represents a clear break from dictatorship and a commitment to genuine democracy.

Rajavi concluded by calling on the European Parliament to take the lead in supporting the Iranian people’s right to resist tyranny. She urged the European Union to recognize the legitimacy of their struggle for regime change and support the courageous youth who are opposing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In her closing words, she quoted Massoud Rajavi: “Our mission is to unite politics with integrity.” With unwavering resolve, Maryam Rajavi reaffirmed the Iranian Resistance’s commitment to building a free, democratic, and inclusive Iran—at any cost, but never at the cost of freedom itself.