NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi addresses a meeting attended by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, January 9, 2025

A landmark conference in Paris drew global attention as leaders and advocates united to address the ongoing struggle against Iran’s oppressive regime. Organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the event featured prominent speakers, including NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi and former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Messages from members of Ashraf 3 in Albania added deeply personal accounts to the global call for freedom.

Mrs. Rajavi opened the conference by acknowledging the determination and progress of the Resistance. She described 2024 as a year marked by significant setbacks for the Iranian regime, including widespread election boycotts, increasing dissent, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, which she framed as a symbolic victory for the Iranian people. Highlighting economic instability, soaring inflation, and mass poverty, Mrs. Rajavi emphasized the growing fractures within the regime’s ranks. “The fall of Bashar al-Assad shows the Iranian people that overthrowing a criminal dictatorship is possible,” she declared.

Advocating for global recognition of the NCRI, Mrs. Rajavi outlined her vision for a democratic Iran rooted in gender equality and the separation of religion from state. “Recognizing the Iranian Resistance is not one choice among many; it is the only practical and viable solution to confront the religious fascism ruling Iran,” she asserted.

Mr. Pompeo delivered a powerful speech underscoring the regime’s vulnerability and the significance of the Resistance’s efforts. He drew parallels between the fall of the Assad regime and the potential for similar change in Iran, stating, “This too will happen in Iran. The Ayatollah’s time is complete.” He praised the sacrifices of the MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq) and their unwavering fight for freedom, citing the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners as a stark example of the regime’s brutality.

Rejecting any notion of reform within the Iranian regime, Pompeo described the IRGC as the regime’s core repressive force. “No one is going to change the nature of that regime,” he said, emphasizing the importance of supporting the NCRI as a viable alternative. Highlighting Mrs. Rajavi’s 10-point plan for a democratic Iran, he declared it a comprehensive roadmap to freedom.

Messages from members of Ashraf 3 in Albania offered poignant reminders of the human cost of resistance. Personal stories of loss and perseverance illustrated the unwavering commitment of Iran’s youth and organized opposition. Shabnam Madadzadeh, a former political prisoner, called for international solidarity, stating, “The regime’s true fear lies in the unwavering courage of prisoners and their connection to the organized opposition.”

The conference concluded with a resounding call for global action. As Mrs. Rajavi declared, “Like its predecessor, the mullahs’ dictatorship must be and will be overthrown.” With endorsements from global figures like Mr. Pompeo and the inspiring voices of Resistance members, the NCRI’s pursuit of a free Iran continues to gain momentum.

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