At the Free Iran 2026 conference in Paris on June 20, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), declared that the only path to save the Iranian people is the overthrow of the ruling religious dictatorship through a democratic revolution.
Marking 45 Years of Resistance
Mrs. Rajavi’s speech coincided with the 45th anniversary of the June 20, 1981 uprising, honoring Iran’s martyrs, political prisoners, and the founding of the National Liberation Army of Iran. She described four and a half decades of resistance as the Iranian people’s greatest asset in their struggle for freedom, emphasizing that the movement is destined to overcome what she called the darkest period in Iran’s contemporary history.
Quoting Massoud Rajavi, she said the Iranian nation stands on the brink of a decisive battle to end a century of dictatorship and establish a democratic republic.
“Peace and Freedom” as Central Slogan
Mrs. Rajavi reiterated that the Iranian Resistance stands for peace and freedom, while accusing the ruling system of relying on war, repression, and nuclear ambitions to survive. She stated that the regime’s leadership remains deeply unstable, pointing to internal divisions following opposition to a recent memorandum of understanding.
She emphasized that war and foreign intervention are not solutions, asserting that only the Iranian people and their organized resistance can bring about change.
For 5 decades, the Iranian Resistance has stood for freedom & peace. For 35 years, it has been the main obstacle to the regime's acquisition of the atomic bomb. It welcomes any understanding that ends the war and the suffering of the Iranian people. pic.twitter.com/Y0BGKTDsZo
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) June 20, 2026
Only One Way Forward
According to Mrs. Rajavi, the regime has driven millions into poverty and desperation, leaving many to survive on minimal resources. She stressed that “there is only one way” to save the Iranian people: overthrowing the regime through a democratic revolution, which she described as inevitable.
She also referred to reported threats against the Free Iran rally in Paris, citing concerns raised by French authorities about potential attacks linked to the Iranian regime and monarchist groups.
The Role of Organized Resistance
Mrs. Rajavi identified the organized resistance, including the PMOI/MEK and Resistance Units, as the “real force for change.” She highlighted recent operations and past actions, including attacks on regime centers and longstanding efforts against repression.
She argued that neither war nor negotiations have resolved the threat posed by the current system, reiterating that a peaceful, non-nuclear Iran can only emerge through regime change led by the Iranian people.
Vision for a Democratic Republic
Mrs. Rajavi outlined the NCRI’s plan for a democratic republic, including the formation of a provisional government tasked with organizing free elections within six months. She emphasized principles such as popular sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries.
She also rejected both the current religious rule and a return to monarchy, stating that Iran’s future lies in a democratic system supported by its people.
A Pledge to the Iranian People
Concluding her speech, Mrs. Rajavi reaffirmed her commitment to securing freedom, equality, and independence for all Iranians regardless of background or belief. She described this commitment as a binding covenant with the martyrs, political prisoners, and generations who have resisted both the Shah and the current regime.
She pledged that the Resistance would remain steadfast in its pursuit of freedom until the end.
Free Iran 2026 – Onward to a Democratic Republic
My commitment is to defend Iran’s freedom, honor, and independence against every form of dictatorship and subjugation, however arduous & winding the road may be.
This is my pledge, and it is our pledge.https://t.co/01QUOYOmNO— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) June 20, 2026
