In the dark days when the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) members in Iraq faced a complete siege, bombings, and attacks orchestrated by allies of the Iranian regime, the mullahs in Tehran rejoiced.
The primary threat to their authoritarian rule was battling for its survival. Concurrently, PMOI members in Ashraf faced mounting pressure while the Iranian Resistance encountered significant legal challenges in France, striving to prove their innocence. During this period, twelve governments pursued lucrative economic deals with Iran, effectively turning a blind eye to the PMOI’s plight and subjecting them to relentless demonization and manipulation by human rights organizations.
Nouri al-Maliki, then Prime Minister of Iraq and a staunch ally of Tehran, imposed multiple deadlines on the PMOI, leading to defenseless and bloody attacks against its members. In these trying times, it seemed unfathomable that the organization could rebound to its former glory, let alone surpass it. Yet, the seemingly impossible has been achieved.
Today, the PMOI has evolved into a more extensive and robust organization with a global reputation. It has held major conferences and gatherings for three consecutive days in Europe, drawing a vast network of supporters within Iran known as “Resistance Units,” who have conducted 20,000 activities in a short span. The organization’s struggle has garnered such legitimacy and acceptance that numerous world leaders, former presidents, prime ministers, and Nobel laureates have voiced their support for this progressive resistance’s vision for Iran’s future.
Prominent political figures now openly express their solidarity with the PMOI. At the Free Iran 2024 World Summit, former US Vice President Mike Pence proclaimed, “It is an honor to be with you all.” John Bercow, the former Speaker of the UK Parliament, stated, “Attendance upon the sixth occasion is every bit as much a privilege and a source of inspiration for me as was the first.” Former French government minister Alain Vivien echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are proud to have such a gathering here in France.” Gilles Paruelle, former president of the Bar Association of Val-d’Oise in France, with a 40-year history of supporting the Iranian Resistance, added, “I’m proud to be here and stand before you.”
The chorus of support extended beyond these figures. Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association; former US National Security Advisor John Bolton; Carlo Ciccioli, member of the European Parliament from Italy; Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy; Niels Geuking, member of the European Parliament from Germany; General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and Nargis Nehan, former Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, all expressed similar sentiments during the summit.
This widespread support is a testament to the PMOI’s relentless dedication and the Iranian Resistance’s decades-long struggle. The journey from being under siege to hosting a global summit highlights the remarkable resilience and unyielding spirit of the Iranian Resistance, transforming their cause into one of international honor and solidarity.
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