A bipartisan group of political leaders convened for a Senate briefing on Thursday, October 26, to address the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, with a special emphasis on the role of the Iranian regime.

The event highlighted key remarks from Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and several prominent US Senators and former officials.

Mrs. Rajavi, participating remotely, emphasized the Iranian regime’s central role in the turmoil enveloping the Middle East. “The primary source of warmongering in the region is the Iranian regime,” she pointed out. She noted the regime’s strategy of inciting wars to prevent its downfall and highlighted the negative impact it has on countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) drew parallels between the ongoing fight for democracy in both Iran and Ukraine. “For the last year and a half, Ukraine has been on the front lines of the same fight for democracy that Iranians have been waging for decades,” she stated. Shaheen urged continued support for democracy everywhere, whether in Ukraine, Iran, or elsewhere.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) described the Iranian regime as a “brutal autocracy” and emphasized the need for a stronger U.S. response. Referring to the state-sanctioned murder of sixteen-year-old Armita Gravand, Menendez said, “Iran’s brutality and repression knows no bounds.” He urged Washington to adopt a more stringent policy towards Tehran, especially concerning human rights violations.
Senator John Boozman (R-AR) sent a message of solidarity, stressing the need to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program.

Former National Security Advisor, Ret. General James Jones, highlighted Iran’s dual role as a self-proclaimed peacekeeper and a catalyst for chaos. He also commended the efforts of the NCRI, stating that the way forward is not military intervention but a global policy shift that stops placating the current regime.
Ambassador Sam Brownback underscored the need for regime change in Tehran brought about by the Iranian people with the full backing of the West. “Change there means less bloodshed everywhere else,” Brownback remarked.

Former US Commander in Europe, General Wesley Clark, called for global recognition of alternative leadership for Iran. Highlighting the NCRI’s role, Clark stated, “It’s the highest priority target of the Iranian regime.”
Concluding the event, former White House Liaison Linda Chavez stressed the importance of supporting democratic movements and recognizing the long-standing resistance against the Iranian regime.
The bipartisan briefing served as a platform to emphasize the critical role of the Iranian regime in the Middle East crisis and the urgent need for action and support for democratic alternatives.

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu