On 15 October 2020, the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), hosted an online conference in the British Parliament. The event centred around the regime’s support of international terrorism, which continues to be an urgent threat to global security.

In attendance of the conference were British Members of Parliament and Irish politicians, alongside Iranians from various countries. The participants discussed how the mullahs’ rule undermines international security through their support of terrorism, as well as their own terror plots, as they are determined to eliminate anyone who might be a threat to the regime.

This is especially relevant when considering the terror plots the regime has orchestrated in Europe, as evidenced by the foiled bomb-plot by the regime on the 2019 Iranian opposition gathering in Paris. Assadollah Assadi, a senior Iranian regime diplomat, is on trial in Belgium facing charges over his involvement in the terrorism plot. Assadi provided and delivered the necessary explosives to the team employed to carry out the attack. All three of the individuals, including Assadi, were arrested by European authorities.

The conference drew attention to the danger the regime poses, not only in Iran but on an international level. It is of great importance that the international community adopts a firm policy to address the terrorist threat of the mullahs’ regime and acts to ensure safety across the globe.

Former MEP Struan Stenson emphasised the need for the UN and EU to stop appeasing the regime and close all of Iran’s embassies as they operate as foreign agencies of terrorism:

“In June 2018, Iranian regime foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was responsible for a bombing attempt against the Free Iran rally of the NCRI. The conspirators, including Assadollah Assadi, a regime diplomat, are now on trial in Belgium. It is the first time that a regime diplomat is directly involved in a terrorist attempt.

The senior diplomat Assadi replaced in the Vienna embassy, was redeployed to Tirana by Zarif. Zarif had clearly instructed his new team of diplomats in Tirana that their main task was to track down members of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization (PMOI / MEK Iran) in the country. The regime tried to detonate a bomb at the Nowruz ceremony of the MEK.

These are not the only terror plots that bear the fingerprint of Zarif. Another regime terrorist was caught in Denmark, two others were expelled from the Netherlands. They have operated in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Turkey.

We should close all of Iran’s embassies and expel all their diplomats. Regime leaders should be indicted for crimes against humanity and brought to trial by criminal courts. The EU and UN must stop its appeasement of the mullahs’ regime.”

Ms. Dowlat Norouzi, Director of the NCRI UK office, delivered a message on behalf of the President-elect of the NCRI, Maryam Rajavi:

“Suppression of the people of Iran on the one hand, and warmongering and export of terrorism on the other, are the two pillars for the regime’s survival.

Another unprecedented development is that an official diplomat of the regime handed over explosives to terrorists to carry out a massive bombing in the heart of Europe. He is now in jail awaiting his trial. It is the policy of appeasement that has emboldened the mullahs and has given them free rein to conduct terrorism abroad and carry out suppression at home.

On behalf of the Iranian Resistance, I call on parliaments in Europe, particularly both legislative chambers in the UK and the parliament of Ireland, to take the lead in adopting a new policy towards Iran:

*Human rights for the people of Iran.

*A comprehensive embargo against the religious dictatorship.

*Recognition of the Iranian people’s Resistance for freedom and democracy.

It is essential that Britain, Ireland and other European countries designate the IRGC as a terrorist group, shut down the regime’s embassies that are centres for terrorist operations, and expel the regime’s agents from European soil.

An independent international mission must investigate the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran and the slaughter of more than 1,500 protesters by Khamenei during the November 2019 uprising.  The mission must also investigate the condition of prisons and prisoners in Iran, particularly the conditions of political prisoners. We demand the release of all political prisoners.

The dossier of the massacres of 1988 and the November 2019 uprising must be sent to the UN Security Council…impunity for Khamenei and other leaders of this regime should no longer be tolerated. They must face Justice.”

The Rt Hon MP Theresa Villiers, discussed the UN’s appeasement of Iran over the arms embargo, as well as the terrorist entity the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC):

“Since its inception, the theocratic regime has maintained its grip on power through repression inside the country and the spread of terrorism abroad. The connection between these two pillars is the key to understanding the regime. The regime is heavily involved in causing instability in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The mullahs are using terrorism to target Iranian dissidents abroad such as the NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran). Iran and its IRGC are a threat in many places around the world. It is shocking that the UN arms embargo on Iran is due to expire in just a few days.

There is a clear case to designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity and the UK must do so. The situation is very grave and the people are suffering greatly.”

MP Toby Perkins described the action that European governments must take in order to combat the regime’s use of terrorism:

“The regime targets the Iranian Resistance because Maryam Rajavi has a democratic platform for the future of Iran and because NCRI has a crucial role in exposing the regime’s human rights abuses and illicit behaviour.

There must be a coordinated European response to the regime. A necessary step is to designate the regime’s leaders and institutions like IRGC and MOIS as terrorist entities. The UK must abandon the policy of appeasement and back the opposition.”

MP Bob Blackman also emphasised the need for the EU and UN to recognise the IRGC in its true status as a terrorist organisation:

“The reality is, under Rouhani’s tenure, terrorism has increased and human rights has deteriorated in Iran. We must proscribe the IRGC in its entirety as a terrorist organization. The regime’s terrorism has reached Europe and the time to act is now. I urge our government to proscribe the IRGC, implement a pressure policy and encourage our European allies to do so as well. We must end the supply of arms to this terrorist regime.”

Sir Alan Meale called for global support for the NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and the opposition movement to the regime:

“I find it incredible that our countries participate in dialogue with such countries that don’t respect their own people. The international community has turned a blind eye to the regime’s terrorism and acquiesced to the regime.

The regime continues the rule of terror. Last November, 1,500 protesters were killed by the regime. The regime ordered one of its own diplomats to carry out the bombing of the opposition gathering in Paris. It shows that democratic countries should have nothing to do with this regime.

I call all governments in the free world to do whatever necessary to support the opposition, in particular Madam Rajavi.”

Former Conservative MEP, Anthea McIntyre highlighted the important role of women to the resistance movement, as well as the need for European governments to support the NCRI:

“The women of Iran are playing an active role in popular protests. They are challenging the misogynist regime. They are a driving force for change in Iran. They are inspired by NCRI president-elect Maryam Rajavi. She has done so much for the Iranian Resistance movement and encourages the leadership role of women. The regime, on the other hand, tries to reduce women to second-class citizens, and that is why it tries to eliminate this source of inspiration. This is why it is engaged in terrorism against the NCR and (PMOI / MEK Iran).

The UK government and other European countries and the European Union must take the regime’s human rights violations seriously, and the terrorism of the regime against Iranian dissidents. The regime’s leaders must be held to account for these atrocities.

Relations with Iran must be contingent to the end of executions and the release of political prisoners. Iranian diplomats who facilitate terrorism must be expelled. We must stand up to them and support the Iranian Resistance NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and Maryam Rajavi.”

MP Steve McCabe argued the importance of ensuring Western governments take a firm stance against the regime and don’t engage in appeasement:

“Iran is the leading sponsor of state terrorism. That’s the problem we’re confronting. The regime does this because first, it is interested in stifling any dissent and making it impossible for people to engage in any form of protests, and second, to spread its evil doctrine across the world and prevent any support for its alternative, the NCRI.

Western governments need to stand up to this and make it clear we’re not going to accept this. Some people make the case for appeasement, but the leopard won’t change its spots. They will interpret any appeasement from the western government as a sign of weakness. The only approach is to exclude the regime from the world community and let them know that they must either provide free and fair elections or go.”

Lord David Alton of Liverpool affirmed the importance of the UK and other Western governments taking action of the regime’s human rights violations and impunity:

“It’s high time for the regime be held to account for its terrorism. Under no circumstances must European authorities accept the regime to intervene in the procedures of the court. The United Kingdom government must refer to the regime’s human rights violations to the UN Security Council.

The UK must at a minimum seek an investigation by the International Criminal Court. We should lead the way for a regional tribunal of regime officials involved in human rights abuse and terrorist attempts against dissidents.

The Iranian people will decide their future. They have a democratic alternative in the NCRI. We in the UK and Europe must recognize that they stand for the same values that we stand for.”

Irish Senator Gerry Horkan further drew attention to the necessity of a firm response and direct action from European governments over the terrorist tactics of the regime:

“Our policy must go beyond talk and condemnation. There must be action. We must firmly respond to every terrorist act. Its funds must be targeted and its embassies closed. Cultural centres and companies funded by the mullahs must be closed. Financial transactions with the IRGC must be blocked, otherwise, the regime’s terrorism on our soil will escalate.

Iran is on the verge of a revolution. We must pre-empt any form of the criminal and violent reaction by the regime. We must recognize this regime is not leading to the best outcome for the people of Iran and the world.”

MP Ian Mearns called upon the international community to stand in support with the Iranian Resistance NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and for a formal investigation to be carried out into the human rights abuses of the regime:

“The regime is a threat to the entire world with its interference and its support for terrorism. The situation of human rights is alarming. In recent months, we’ve seen further alarming developments with the clampdown on supporters of the NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), because the regime fears more protests.

It is time for the international community to recognize the struggle of the Iranian opposition NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and stand with the people of Iran. I support an inquiry into the regime’s human rights abuses. The international community must investigate Iran’s prisons and the situation of political prisoners.”

Lord Ken Maginnis asserted the need for the NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and Madam Rajavi to be acknowledged as the legitimate alternative to the regime by the UK:

“I would like to see the members of the Iranian community in the UK have the privilege of seeing their leader Maryam Rajavi coming to the UK. It is through a visual and spoken approach that we will be able to win more support on the ground among UK citizens and create an atmosphere where we can acknowledge the NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), members and their esteemed leader. We have got to maintain the objective of having Madam Rajavi amongst us when the time is right.”

MP Roger Godsiff expressed the bravery of the Iranian people and the resistance, NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), as well as the need to rebalance power in favour of the Iranian people:

“The regime’s terror can be traced all over the world. In recent years, the regime is engaging in attacks against its opponents on European soil with no regard for human life.

We cannot allow the regime to succeed in these evil aims. If Europe stands passively by and does nothing in face of the regime’s terrorist activities, then we will all be complicit in the regime’s atrocities.

Our governments must look at the brave Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), and how they stand against the regime. The endless negotiations for the sake of diplomacy have tilted the balance of power in favour of the regime instead of the people.

The Iranian people and Resistance movement NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran), bear the heavy task of changing the regime. The least we can do is to stand with the Iranian people and hold the regime to account. “

Former Irish Minister John Perry discussed the ending of appeasement and impunity for the regime to ensure they cannot commit their atrocities without fearing the consequences:

“Over 450 acts of terrorism by the Iranian regime have been documented by the NCRI since 2001. We also have a long list of hostage-taking operations against foreign nationals. After the December 2017 uprising, the secretary of the regime’s Supreme National Security Council said he would take revenge on the MEK. The Iranian regime’s leaders planned to launch a terror attack against the NCRI in 2018.

Let’s get this clear. Regime officials believe they can conduct terrorism on European soil and if they get caught, they can get away with more threats. The international community and European countries have failed with their silence and appeasement policy. We must stand against the regime’s terrorism and protect the opposition NCRI and (PMOI / MEK Iran). The time of appeasement must stop.”

MP Gill Furniss affirmed the responsibility for the UK and Western governments to protect the human rights of the Iranian people:

“I have been shocked by repeated human rights violations of the Iranian regime. I condemn all violations of human rights. The UK and its allies have an obligation to protect human rights around the world, including the release of political prisoners in Iran.”

Director of the Middle East Forum for Development, Mousa Zahed, argued the need for united action from the international community to confront the regime’s terrorism:

“The Iranian regime doesn’t care about diplomacy and diplomatic behaviour. The regime’s embassy is engaged in planting bombs and plotting terror attacks. The message of appeasement by European countries has demonstrated to the theocracy that they can assassinate their opponents on European soil with impunity.

The international community needs to get together and adopt an approach against the mullahs’ terrorism.”

 

Member of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee, Hossein Abedini, described his own experience as a victim of the mullahs’ terrorist attacks:

“I am a survivor of one of many terrorist attacks of the regime. I narrowly escaped death when my car was ambushed by so-called Iranian diplomats—terrorists—in Turkey. My liver and lungs were badly damaged in the attack after I was shot, and I have undergone many surgeries since then.

Forty days after I was attacked, Professor Kazem Rajavi was assassinated by regime diplomats in Geneva. The regime also assassinated NCRI representative Mohammad Hossein Naghdi in Italy a few years later.

In May 2019 the NCRI exposed documents that showed how the regime uses its embassies to spread terror. The NCRI expects the UK and other European governments to respond firmly to the regime’s terror threat.

The IRGC is a central force of the regime’s repression in Iran and terrorism abroad. The IRGC only reports to the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and its mission is to keep Khamenei in power. The international community must support this campaign by designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity and supporting the people of Iran.”

MEK Iran (follow them on Twitter and Facebook)

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube