NCRI-US office press briefing on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Iran

On Monday, February 11th, the United States Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US) held a panel discussion on the Iranian regime’s forty-year record of domestic human rights violations and foreign terrorist activities. The event was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The panel, which was led by Soona Samsami, the NCRI representative in the United States, included a discussion of the current unrest and economic crisis in Iran and the current impact of the massive popular uprising that took place one year ago, the resumption of U.S. sanctions, and the start of a firm policy toward the regime. The panel also discussed Iran’s future and possible policies toward Iran that could be adopted this year.

The 40th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

The panel coincided with the 40th anniversary of the overthrow of the Shah. On February 11, 1979, the people of Iran rose up and took down the Shah’s monarchy. The MEK played a key role at the end of this dictatorship and hoped to establish a free Iran. However, Ruhollah Khomeini and a group of hard-line clerics seized control of the country and created the theocratic regime that exists in Iran today.

Over the past forty years, the mullahs’ regime has been responsible for a number of conflicts in the region and has oppressed its own people. The MEK defended the liberties obtained after the 1979 revolution and showed extraordinary discipline to prevent an early confrontation with the new dictatorship, despite many of its followers and supporters were beaten, arrested, tortured and murdered by regime’s club wielders and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) forces.

Quotes from Panel Speakers

The panel discussion included several distinguished speakers, including NCRI-US Representative Soona Samsami, former U.S. Ambassador and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Adam Ereli, and President of the Near East Policy Research (NEPR) Ali Safevi.  They shared their thoughts about the threat posed by the Iranian regime, the MEK and the democratic alternative for Iran’s future, and the need for a firm policy toward the mullahs. The following are some highlights from the day’s event:

Soona Samsami’s Remarks

• “The Iranian people never desired a theocracy. They wanted a democracy. Throughout all these years, but especially since 2017, the Iranian people have demanded change.”

• “The people are calling for the establishment of a republic based on democracy and separation of religion & state. In contrast to the regime’s attempts to paint a picture of strength on its 40th year in power, in reality, it is at its weakest point in history.”
• “Tehran’s reaction to its organized opposition is a clear indication that there is a viable alternative to the regime in the form of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
• “As a result of the Iran nuclear deal, tens of billions of dollars were poured into the coffers of the mullahs, enabling them to suppress the Iranian people and expand their malign activities in the region. It also gave the regime the political legitimacy, it lacked.”
• “That attitude and policy have allowed a gang of medieval mullah, who stole the anti-monarchic revolution in 1979, to gradually develop an extensive missile and nuclear arsenal… and destabilize one of the most important regions of the world for 40 years.”
• “The right policy is to recognize the rights of the Iranian people and the organized opposition to overthrow this regime. Unlike Syria and other countries suffering from dictatorships, Iran has a historic, real and viable alternative.”
• “There is an organized resistance, it has very organized leadership. We are talking about a non-nuclear Iran, we are talking about separation of religion and state. There is a 3,000-year history of Iranian people rising up and claiming their rights.”
• “Mrs. Rajavi’s 10-point plan for Iran’s future includes policies like separation of church and state; abolition of the death penalty; universal suffrage and elections; gender equality; peace & co-existence with neighbors; freedom of the press and speech.”

Adam Ereli’s Remarks

• “Looking back on forty years of revolution: Yes, the mullahs are still there, but so is the MEK. You are still here and your longevity has demonstrated that you are not an agent of anybody but the Iranian people.”

Ali Safavi’s Remarks

• “Recognition of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), as the sole democratic alternative to the terrorist religious dictatorship in Iran, is imperative to rectifying & ending the disastrous policy of appeasement over the past four decades.”

Staff Writer