{"id":86472,"date":"2026-05-18T10:35:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=86472"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:35:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:35:57","slug":"carla-sands-rejects-both-theocracy-and-monarchy-urges-support-for-irans-democratic-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/05\/carla-sands-rejects-both-theocracy-and-monarchy-urges-support-for-irans-democratic-alternative\/86472\/","title":{"rendered":"Carla Sands Rejects Both Theocracy and Monarchy, Urges Support for Iran\u2019s Democratic Alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Former — Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands speaks at a major Free Iran rally attended by Iranian Americans and NCRI supporters in Washington, D.C., on May 16, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Speaking at the major Free Iran rally in Washington, D.C.<\/a> on May 16, 2026, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands declared that Iran\u2019s ruling regime is increasingly weakened and under pressure. Honoring the sacrifice of executed MEK<\/a> members and anti-regime protesters, she praised those who have confronted dictatorship with courage and unwavering conviction.<\/p>\n
Sands sharply criticized supporters of Reza Pahlavi for promoting the legacy of the SAVAK dictatorship, intimidating political opponents, and encouraging violence against dissidents. She argued that the Shah\u2019s repression of democratic forces paved the way for Khomeini\u2019s takeover of the 1979 revolution.<\/p>\n
According to Sands, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI<\/a>), under the leadership of Maryam Rajavi<\/a>, offers a genuine democratic alternative that rejects both religious dictatorship and a return to monarchy. She highlighted the movement\u2019s commitment to gender equality, political pluralism, and free elections within six months after the fall of the current regime.<\/p>\n
Concluding her remarks, Sands called on the United States and its Western allies to end decades of appeasement toward Tehran, recognize the organized resistance as a vital partner for change, and hold the Iranian regime accountable for crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n
\n
I\u2019m proud to stand with @NCRIUS<\/a> as they fight for democracy in Iran.
pic.twitter.com\/lmCBAfh8MC<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Carla Sands (@CarlaHSands) May 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n