On the anniversary of appointing Mrs. Maryam Rajavi as the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), MEK’s resistance units expand their activities in Iran.

Bellow find a quick look at these activities.

Ilam:

Eastern province of Ilam, resistance units of the MEK hanged two banners of Massoud Rajavi and Maryam Rajavi near Jaghasabz Park. One banner reads: ” Stand up for toppling Velayat-e Faqih’s regime” and the other reads: “Down with Khamenei, Hail to Rajavi”

Tehran:

Members of the MEK’s resistance units in Tehran, the Capital, hanged a banner of Maryam Rajavi in Niavaran Highway. These words appeared on the banner:

Maryam Rajavi: “We can and we must overthrow the Velayat-e Faqih’s regime”

A banner of Maryam Rajavi with the same words was also hung over a bridge in Damavand Highway by another MEK resistance unit in Tehran.

Mashhad:

In Mashhad, a resistance unit of MEK posted a banner of Massoud Rajavi in Honarestan St. The banner reads: “Down with Velayat-e Faqih, Long live Rajavi”

Kerman

Resistance units of MEK hanged a banner of Maryam Rajavi. The banner reads: “Stand up for overthrowing the Velayat-e Faqih regime ”

MEK also reported that resistance units in Isfahan wrote resistance’s slogans on the street walls in this city, such as: “Iran Rajavi, Rajavi Iran”. In the city of Bandar Abbass MEK’s resistance units wrote: ” Democracy, Freedom, with Maryam Rajavi”.

In the city of Qazvin, MEK’s resistance units wrote on the walls: “Down with Khamenei.”

In the Southern city of Hendijan, MEK resistance units destroyed the symbols of the religious fascism ruling Iran.

The multiplication of MEK’s resistance units’ activities spread panic throw the Iranian regime and its officials, so that, they crossed the regime’s red-line, talking about the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK) in public. Talking about MEK in State-run TV channels and media is not surprising anymore.

The resistance units of MEK play a crucial role in mobilizing and inspiring people against tyranny in Iran. Torching the symbols of the Iranian regime in public is witnessed more than ever before. Along with protests and gatherings against the regime across the country on a daily basis, activities of resistance units are shaking the dictatorial regime ruling Iran.

Jocelyn Scott:
In #Iran, terrorism and human rights abuses is happening on a daily matter by the regime. No government should be supporting that.
The #NCRI is committed that in the future of Iran, human rights covenants will be followed.#BlacklistMOIS #BlacklistRouhani #MEK pic.twitter.com/28eTAEjefK

— MEKIran (@MEK_Iran) October 17, 2019

The mullahs hopelessly try to prevent a popular uprising and thwart the expansion of resistance units by using internal suppression and external sponsorship of terrorism. They seek to contain the deep-seated anger within the society at their disastrous and inhuman rule. However, their measures are in vain and we are witnessing the expansion of both public protests and activities of the MEK’s resistance units.

Staff Writer

 

 

 

 

 

In a conference discussing the future of Iran, the representative of the Organization of Iranian-American Communities (OIAC) outlined the organization’s vision for the future of Iran.

Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad, from OIAC, delivered a speech that was warmly receipted by the audience. Below please find an excerpt of her speech:

Dr.Sepehrrad-OIAC rep:1979 revolution is #Iran’s historic rejection of Monarchy.The 2009&2018 uprising was the defiance of the regime in its entirety. We're not seeking a return 2the past. Demarcation W/Shah’s dictatorship &religious despotism is our red line #IranConferenceNYC pic.twitter.com/jDywBGn926

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 24, 2019

“It is my privilege and honor to speak to you on behalf of the Organization of Iranian- American Community who for more than twenty-five years has been primarily focusing on echoing the voice of the Iranian people as their struggle for human rights and democracy in our native land Iran.

Over the last century Iran has seen two brutal dictatorships, under the Pahlavi’s monarchy which in collaboration with the mullahs worked against the democratic and nationalistic government of Dr. Mosaddeq and now dealing with the misogynist regime since 1979, the religious fascist of mullahs who are incapable of reform or even engaging in a meaningful way with the Iranian people or for the rest of the world for that matter.

When it comes to this regime because this regime believes in the system of Velayat-e Faqih, this regime is committed and remains committed to the system of Velayat-e Faqih, and that means an absolute power that is only for non-elected male clerics, according to the regime’s constitution.

What has to be very clear is that the Iranian people’s rejection of both monarchy and mullahcracy is based on historic lessons from their struggle for freedom and democracy over the last several decades. This is not a partisan preference; it is simply the reality of Iran’s recent history. The 1979 revolution is Iran’s historic rejection of monarchy. While the mullahs have high jacked the revolution, the waves of the popular uprising in rejection of the mullahs during the 1980s, 1990s and most notably the 2009 and 2018 are the ongoing rejection of this regime in its entirety.

People of Iran, are not making any distinction between so-called reformers and hardliners, so why should we? This red line has been drawn by the blood and sacrifices of more than 120,000 martyrs for freedom in order to move Iran away from despotism of the past and religious tyranny of present. Therefore, it is our red-line too and crossing of this red-line under whatever pretext, is unacceptable, because it is undermining the true democracy movement in Iran.

The international community has not yet recognized the depth and extent of the ongoing crimes against the people of Iran, especially, the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. In our view, just as the Mayor (Giuliani) said Khamenei, Rouhani, Zarif, Qasem Soleimani, Ebrahim Raisi after four decades of execution and oppression, war, terrorism, subversion, mayhem by the terrorist IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence are all international criminals and must stand trial in the international tribunals and courts.

All of us gathered here agree that the Iranian regime is the enemy of not just the Iranian people but also the rest of the world. We agree that this regime must go. We also agree that it is up to Iranian people and their organized opposition movement, who shall and will bring this regime down in its entirety. We have also gathered here to emphasize the path forward for free Iran. OIAC stands for a non-nuclear, democratic, secular, Republic of Iran based on the following key principals:

• In a free Iran, only the ballot box determines the legitimacy of the future government.
• Freedom of speech, expression, association, and religion for all Iranians, and equal rights for all ethnic groups in the framework of Iran’s territorial integrity is a must in a free Iran. As my Baluchi sister said: we won’t let this regime colonize us any longer, we won’t let them divide us based on ethnic lines, we are all standing for the territorial integrity of Iran. We are Iranians first and we want this regime down together and if anyone has any doubt that we cannot do this, I will invite them to look to the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), where the Baluchis, the Kurds, the Turks, and the Fars, all of them, all the Iranian ethnic groups, have come together under one banner, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), fighting against this regime. We have done it before and Iran will do it again. Iran will do it again because the National Council of Resistance of Iran and the platform that it has, represents the diversity of Iran. This is our strengths. We will not let them colonize our ethnic groups.
• In a free Iran, complete gender equality in all political, social, cultural, and economic spheres women of our native land are on the forefront to overthrow this misogynist regime; and we stand with them wholeheartedly.

Dr.Sepehrrad-OIAC rep:We will not let this regime colonize us any longer to ruin our national integrity.If anyone has any doubt that we can do this,I invite them 2look into the #MEK,where all ethnics have come together in their struggle against this regime.#IranConferenceNYC

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 24, 2019

In a free Iran, women will have all their rights to choose their clothing, and any exploitation of women on whatever pretext will be rejected.

In a free Iran, we would have a commitment to the universal declaration of human rights and all international covenants.

In a free Iran, the death penalty will be abolished; no more political prisoners, no more prisoners of conscience, and they will be released after the downfall of this regime.

The path to progress and prosperity in a free Iran is based on the followings:

• Justice and equal opportunity for employment and occupation are imperative for all Iranians in a free market economy. Cronyism, nepotism, corruption or the mafia-style of government shall not be acceptable.
• The rights of workers, farmers, nurses, employees, teachers, educators, retired people will be upheld and respected.
• The diaspora, this is all of us, will have a duty of reversing the brain drain and support the rebuilding of Iran based on progressive labor laws and rights. Forced child labor must be abolished.
• The future of Iran’s youth will be in high-quality education so that Iran can develop the next generation of workforce and scholars to thrive and contribute to the modern world. Iranian scientific community shall focus on humane advancement of technology, knowledge, innovation, and infrastructure for improving the lives of Iranian people.
• No more weapons of mass destruction; we stand for a non-nuclear Iran.
• Iranian scientific community shall also focus on reversing the environmental crises, water shortage, unnatural floods, earthquakes, through utilizing best practices in order to reverse the damage done under this criminal regime.
• Iran shall live in peace and coexistence and cooperation and mutual respect with its neighbors and the international community. No more regional meddling and no more support for terrorist or the extremist groups.

So at this point, I’ll ask all delegates to think a moment, and envision an Iran based on these principals, and the path to recovery, an Iran that is worthy of our heritage, our history and the sacrifices made to date. Together, we must refrain from divisiveness. We need to aim all of our energies and efforts to change this regime first.

In 2002 the head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Massoud Rajavi announced the NCRI’s plan for promoting the national solidarity front to encompass all Iranians and political entities who reject the monarchy and the system of Velayat-e Faqih and our campaigning for a democratic independent and secular republic to come together. This call was faced with overwhelming misinformation and disinformation campaign by regime cronies and MOIS agents.

For too long, the Iranian regime’s lobbyists and apologists have worked to divide us by propagating falsehood and smear campaigns, lies and propaganda. This must stop. We must put an end to the disinformation campaign and the echo chamber against the MEK and the NCRI. We will end this.

This regime-change movement inside Iran is growing stronger day by day, because of the MEK’s resistance units and their ongoing efforts that are expanding to organize the public. We can do the same in exile, this means we need to be entirely focused on the threat of the Iranian regime and the need to overthrow this regime with all the factions within this regime. We need not be distracted by the regime’s ongoing propaganda as we push for further isolation of the regime, to provide support for regime change by Iranians. We must demonstrate political maturity and commitment to these principals and be fully committed to them, which can guarantee an enduring and effective unity against this regime. I’m hopeful that we will get there in solidarity which did not begin today, it has been going on for the last 40 years because of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.”

Staff Writer

 

 

 

 

 

The human rights situation in Iran continues to worsen amid deteriorating prison conditions and an increase in executions. Nine prisoners were executed over a two-day period this week, and conditions inside Iranian prisons have become so dire that a number of inmates have been forced to go on life-threatening hunger strikes to protest for basic rights.

Executions

A total of nine prisoners were hanged on July 16th and 17th in Iran. Two of the prisoners were executed publicly.

On Tuesday morning, a prisoner was publicly executed in the city of Khandab, central Iran. On Wednesday morning, authorities conducted another public hanging in Bandar Mahshahr, southwest Iran.

The mullahs' regime in #Iran continuing its executions rampage.#HumanRightshttps://t.co/AS2YanZq2H

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 17, 2019

Four prisoners were hanged on Tuesday in Urmia prison in northwestern Iran, and another two were executed on Wednesday. A woman was also executed on Wednesday in Nowshahr prison, northern Iran.

An imprisoned woman was hanged at dawn on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, in the Prison of Noshahr, in northern #Iran.

She is the 90th woman executed in Iran during Rouhani’s term in office since 2013.https://t.co/BgvGFIF3Uq @UN_Women #HumanRights @UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/O1JQ62FV5D

— Donya Jam (@FreeeIran) July 17, 2019

Hunger Strikes

Hunger strikes have become more common as a form of protest among Iranian political prisoners due to the mullahs’ crackdown on political dissent, which has caused massive overcrowding and subhuman conditions inside the regime’s prisons.

 

Political prisoner Sanaz Allahyari was beaten by violent inmates in Evin Prison after the twelfth day of her hunger strike. After the beating, she was transferred to another ward of the prison as punishment for the attack. Ms. Allahyari was suffering from severe weakness at the time of the beating due to her hunger strike. She has also been sick from an unknown illness for over two months, which has caused stomach pain, weight loss, and trembling in her extremities.

 

Ms. Allahyari’s husband, Amir Hossein Mohammadi Fard, wrote a letter to the head of the 28th Branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on July 2nd asking for medical treatment for his wife. He also demanded the release of Ms. Allahyari and the other detainees who were arrested for their support of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory workers’ strike. When his demands were not met, he joined Ms. Allahyari on her hunger strike.

In the notorious Fashafuyeh Prison near #Tehran, political prisoner Soheil Arabi is on hunger strike for the past 30 days and has lost 10 kg.
The blogger was arrested on Nov 2013 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. #IRGCTerrorists pic.twitter.com/uzr7nhOcv2

— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) July 17, 2019

Political prisoner Soheil Arabi was taken to a hospital after he had a seizure along with a severe drop in blood pressure in Fashafuyeh Prison. Arabi has been on a hunger strike for 30 days and has lost 10 kilograms. Reports from the MEK network indicate that he was returned to prison shortly after his condition was stabilized.

Report on horrific condition of #Iran political prisoners on hunger strike https://t.co/aEYc9C6fKh

— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) July 16, 2019

This is Mr. Ahabi’s third hunger strike in protest of substandard prison conditions and violence by prison employees.

MEK sources report that six political prisoners in Evin Prison have started a hunger strike in protest of the violation of their rights as political prisoners. The prisoners, Hossein Sarlack, Morteza Nazari Sadhi, Mohsen Aminpour, Reza Bazazadeh, Behrouz Zare and Reza Mohammad Hosseini, issued a statement listing the following demands:

• the separation of political prisoners from other prisoners;
• the conditional release of all political prisoners;
• the recognition of political prisoners as “political” prisoners and not “security” prisoners by the regime;
• the right to a lawyer in all legal proceedings.

Staff writer

 

The MEK hosted the second day of an international conference on Friday at Ashraf-3, the home of the Iranian Resistance’s headquarters in Albania. The conference, entitled “120 years of struggle of the Iranian people for freedom,” was attended by thousands of MEK members and prominent politicians and dignitaries from around the world.

The conference’s focus was to condemn the Iranian regime for its suppressive and inhuman actions at home and its terrorist activities abroad and to call on the international community to end the policy of appeasement that allowed the regime to act without consequences.

Speakers at the conference also emphasized that the international community must recognize the MEK and NCRI as the democratic alternative to the mullahs’ regime in order to bring peace and stability to the region.

The following are some of the highlights from the speeches at Friday’s event:

Maryam Rajavi

President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

From Mrs. Rajavi’s keynote address:

“One of the missing links in previous movements of the Iranian people was a coherent organization and an organized struggle, coupled with a determined and battle-hardened force prepared to make any sacrifice necessary. As a result, the people’s previous struggles did not succeed despite all their sacrifices,” she said in reference to the failure of past uprisings.

Mrs. Rajavi also spoke about the many crimes perpetrated against the MEK by the mullahs’ regime.

“Despite all the crimes and massacres he committed, Khomeini failed to extinguish the flames of freedom. Over the past 40 years, 120,000 persons have given their lives for the cause of freedom. That includes the 30,000 people who were massacred in 1988 for insisting on their political identity as a member of the Mojahedin. Another half-a-million people were arrested and viciously tortured,” she said.

“The mullahs continued their crimes against Ashraf and Liberty by setting 22 deadlines in 10 years, through a medical blockade, through psychological torture using over 300 loudspeakers blaring into Ashraf for two years, and through 29 ground and aerial attacks, using armored vehicles and missile launchers, including the commission of seven bloodbaths and massacres,” she continued.

Mrs. Rajavi concluded on a hopeful note, saying, “But today, we have reached a historic turning point. An Ashraf which has once again risen up, proud and powerful, shining bright at the zenith of this Resistance. This Ashraf has been replicated 1000 times in the form of resistance units all over Iran. And a volatile society which is no longer willing to put up with the mullahs, yearning to overthrow them.”

Suda

MEK member and resident at Ashraf-3

“I grew up in Sweden and was about to travel to France to study, but a video that I’d seen couldn’t leave my mind; a video of someone being stoned to death in Iran. I saw myself at a crossroads. I could live my own life and fulfil my dreams or I could put everything aside and fulfil my people’s dreams. That’s why I joined the MEK, to live for others. I thank all of you for being with us,” she said.

French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt tells Iran's democratic opposition: “I’m proud of what you've achieved in Ashraf 3. As a woman I feel very proud of standing w/ you since there's no other org like the MEK that gives women this power” #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi pic.twitter.com/99C823z9w7

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 12, 2019

Ingrid Betancourt

Former Colombian Senator and Presidential candidate

“It’s just amazing what the MEK has done to transform this place since the last time I visited. I am proud to be your friend,” said Ms. Betancourt. “Your decision to confront the tyranny and pay the highest price. This sacrifice today is bearing its fruit. I see that here in Ashraf 3. It’s a miracle. I have been with you for a couple of years and I am amazed by your support and your political savviness. As a woman, I feel very proud and that in the world there is no organization like the MEK that gives women this power.”

“We are making history today,” she added. “Your victory is our victory and we will be very soon with you in Tehran!” Ms. Betancourt proclaimed.

Rudy Giuliani

"We could have prevented the Holocaust. We can't now. We can just learn from it. But we can prevent the murder and slaughter going on in Iran. An alternative exists to the theocracy in Iran. It's our responsibility to support it" – @RudyGiuliani #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi pic.twitter.com/MNvv2h5xQP

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 12, 2019

Former New York City Mayor

“There is an alternative to the theocracy and dictatorship in Iran. It is a government-in-exile, and it gives us the confidence that if we help overthrow the Iranian regime, there will be prosperity and democracy in Iran,” said the former mayor.

Giuliani referred to the numerous terrorist plots against the MEK by the Iranian regime in 2018, saying, “They tried to bomb us in the US. They tried to bomb us here in Tirana a year and a half ago. They tried to bomb us in Paris a year ago. They’re the biggest state sponsor of terrorism and we let them sit in the UN and talk to them like they’re decent people.”

“I thank Madam Maryam Rajavi for letting me be part of this, and this is something that I am proud of and probably my children will be proud of…I wish to have this meeting in Tehran before I die,” Giuliani said.

Giuliani encouraged the MEK to continue their struggle for freedom. “You keep trying and you fail, you keep trying and you fail, and then the Berlin Wall comes down. It will happen eventually, but let’s make it happen now before another 100,000 deaths,” he said.

"The museum in Ashraf 3 is an echo of the Holocaust" – @JoeLieberman at the conference on the Iranian people's struggle for freedom in Iran, today in Ashraf-3, Albania. #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi pic.twitter.com/02Jh6mr5Cu

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 12, 2019

Senator Joseph Lieberman

Former U.S. Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate

“You in the NCRI have given us the opportunity to be true to our national principles. When I’m here I feel that I’m representing the spirit of my great friend, the late Senator John McCain, who was warned by the establishment to stay away from this organization, but he spent time learning about it. He came to Ashraf 3, believing in this organization and its cause,” said Lieberman.

“Ashraf 3 has become something magnificent. Coming here and seeing this magnificent community that you’ve built is miraculous. It teaches us lessons,” he continued.

Lieberman praised the Ashrafis for their perseverance, saying, “The citizens of Ashraf never gave up despite the atrocities they faced imposed by the Iranian regime.”

He also talked about the exhibition of the history of MEK members who have been killed and persecuted by the Iranian regime that he and other speakers viewed before the conference began: “This exhibition, despite the mourning, is inspiring. And the whole story of the Ashrafis is inspiring,” he said.

“With the kind of leadership that the MEK and Maryam Rajavi are giving and will give in Iran; with the support of people from around the world who are represented here and with the resistance of the Iranian people inside of Iran, we will have a meeting some day in Iran and come together and have a great party,” Lieberman concluded.

Michèle Alliot-Marie

MEP; former French Foreign, Defense, Justice and Interior Minister

Alliot-Marie referenced the MEK memorial, saying, “I have to say that I’m very moved. What a contrast between the dramatic, horrifying images that we saw a few minutes ago. To be in contact with men and women who have given their lives for such a cause. To see what you have been able to achieve. You wish to give so much to the Iranian people.”

“You have people who have been tortured yet you still pave the path for freedom. This visit to Ashraf 3 was very moving for us,” she continued.

“I have the privilege of being able to speak and think freely. Yet I also know that today this liberty is not available everywhere across the globe,” Alliot-Marie said.

“We are also obliged to all people who are being subjugated to dictators around the world, and in Iran. We are here today, Mrs. Rajavi, to tell you that you are not alone,” she said.

“We have to give the Iranian people courage and the help they need so they can get their future back,” Alliot-Marie concluded.

“Maryam Rajavi's 10-point plan for a future #FreeIran is what we want for all Iranians” – former French Foreign Minister @MAlliotMarie at today's Iran conference in Ashraf-3 in Albania with members of Iran’s democratic opposition, the MEK. #IStandWithMaryamRajavi pic.twitter.com/fSuXflnhyE

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 12, 2019

Matthew Offord

MP (United Kingdom)

“You are the proof of a proud brave nation that will never succumb to the atrocities of the regime,” Offord said, addressing the MEK members at the conference.

“We have always argued that decoupling the regime’s human rights violations from the nuclear deal was a mistake,” he said.

“We have been proven right that there is no moderate faction inside the Iranian regime.” he added.

“There are two issues that we continue to raise in our debates,” Offord said:

1. “We need to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its atrocities in the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.”
2. “The U.K. government needs to blacklist the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and all its subsidiary as a terrorist organization.”

“This measure will signal to the Iranian people that they are not forgotten and we stand with them,” he emphasized.

Offord added, “We want to recognize the right of the Iranian people and the resistance led by Madame Maryam Rajavi to establish a democratic and free republic in Iran.”

“Iran’s current regime is not just a threat to the Iranian people but to the peace around the world,” he concluded.

General James Conway

Former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps

“I participated in a policy panel in Ashraf 3 and we were invited to dinner with the ladies of Ashraf 3. And some of them shared with me their stories of sacrifice and suffering. What I saw last night in terms of the ability to endure loss and yet move on was the sense of unit cohesion and dedication to each other that was the same as you see in the military. The sense of mission and dedication to accomplish it, said General Conway.

“I’m absolutely confident that with those ladies, you will make your country free someday,” he added.

“@RudyGiuliani was correct that the solution to Iran is not appeasement but regime change. Throughout history there are always tyrants & for a while they seem invincible. But they all fall at the end. Always” Mojgan Parsaie, ex PMOI (MEK) Sec Gen #FreeIran #IStandWithMaryamRajavi pic.twitter.com/WfUdmjosdO

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 12, 2019

Ms. Mojgan Parsaie

Former MEK Secretary General

“The story of the supporters of Ashraf who helped rescue the MEK members is the story of honorable people,” said Ms. Parsaie.

“Time has shown that you stand on the right side of history. The future will show more appreciation,” she added.

“Mayor Giuliani was correct that the solution to Iran is not appeasement but regime change. Throughout history there are always tyrants and for a period they seem invincible. However, they all fall at the end. Always.” Ms. Parsaie concluded.

The President-elect of the Iranian opposition, Maryam Rajavi delivered a video address to the huge crowd of the supporters of the MEK in Berlin rally, calling on the need for a firm policy towards the Iranian regime.

Did the history of Germany and other European nations not teach the world what a heavy and bloody price humanity has to pay for appeasement of fascism? #FreeIran #Iran pic.twitter.com/KB5Hn9Xzpo

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 6, 2019

“In this grand demonstration, the message to the world and the message to Europe, in particular, is this: stop the policy of giving concessions to the religious dictatorship. The policy of protecting the mullahs against being overthrown does not solve any of the problems of this regime.”

Isn’t 40 years enough for espousing the mirage of reform and the myth of moderation and reform in the clerical regime? #Iran #FreeIran#Berlin

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 6, 2019

Mrs. Rajavi pointed out that thirty years of dialogue with the mullahs has led the regime to this terminal phase. She asked if the recent acts of belligerence were not enough to change the policy toward the regime.

Mrs. Rajavi discussed the foiled 2018 bombing of the Free Iran rally outside of Paris. German police arrested a regime diplomat for masterminding the attack and personally delivering the explosives which were to be used in the bombing. Before and after this, dozens of mercenaries of the MOIS were arrested and tried by the German judiciary for terrorist acts. “The question is why such significant incidents do not bring any change in Germany’s policy toward the Iranian regime.”

 

Mrs. Rajavi reiterated that the Iranian people do not want Western military intervention to overthrow the mullahs. “It is the job of the Army of Freedom and no one else,” she said.

The religious fascism in #Iran is the greatest threat to peace in the world today. #FreeIranhttps://t.co/5k19YZDpgI pic.twitter.com/seMvsKBStT

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 6, 2019

“But what we must urge is that no one else keep the mullahs in power,” she added. Mrs. Rajavi enumerated some of the ways that the policy of appeasement has helped the mullahs maintain their power. The regime has avoided facing accountability for its actions, its embassies remain open, and its agents act without consequences.

 

Mrs. Rajavi called on Angela Merkel to stand up for human rights by forming a delegation to visit Iranian prisons and to insist that human rights declarations be enforced.

 

Mrs. Rajavi called on the international community to recognize the Iranian people’s right to overthrow the religious regime and to specifically recognize the NCRI as the democratic alternative to the clerical dictatorship.

Mrs. Rajavi further called on the United Nations to take action on behalf of the Iranian people. “The dossier of the abuses of prisoners in the 1988 massacre of Iran must be forwarded to the United Nations Security Council,” she said.

“The United Nations Security Council must declare that the Iranian regime poses a global threat to peace and security,” she added.

 

Mrs. Rajavi concluded, “Yes, with the nation determined to overthrow the mullahs’ regime, your passion, and love of freedom, and with the resolve of Resistance Units in the battle waged by the Army of Freedom, Iran will be free! Iran will be free!”

Staff writer

 

The Iranian regime’s Atomic Energy Organization announced on Monday that it will begin the next phase of its rollback to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The regime will restart work at the Arak heavy water reactor facility as part of the latest reduction in its commitment to the deal.

The regime announced in April that it would no longer honor some of the terms of the JCPOA. Following this announcement, regime officials stated that Iran had quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium.

The regime in #Iran never had the intention to abide by the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.https://t.co/bl5sFDVPsL

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2019

On May 8, 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA, citing evidence that the regime was not in full compliance with its terms. The U.S. reimposed pre-2015 oil sanctions and tightened restrictions on imports of petrochemical products from the Iranian regime. Despite Europe’s efforts to save the deal, no country has been able to import oil without using the U.S. financial system and thus falling afoul of U.S. sanctions.

On the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA this May, regime President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran was withdrawing from the JCPOA and would no longer honor the terms of the deal.

A report aired on state-run television reported the news. “The Supreme National Security Council issued a statement in which it declared to the member states of the JCPOA that starting today, May 8, 2019, Iran will stop its measures under the agreement and will give a 60-day window to the countries remaining in the deal to implement their commitments, especially in the domain of banking and oil,” said the report.

The statement by the regime’s Security Council specifically noted that it would no longer restrict its production of enriched uranium or adhere to the restrictions on its heavy water stockpile. It also threatened that the regime would respond if its nuclear dossier were to be presented to the United Nations Security Council.

European Leaders Respond to the Regime

European officials were quick to react to the regime’s actions. On May 9th, the UK, French, and German Foreign Ministers, along with the EU Foreign Policy Chief, issued a joint statement declaring that Europe would not accept the 60-day ultimatum offered by Iran. The statement also reminded the Iranian regime of its commitments under the terms of the JCPOA.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian went further, warned the regime that resumption of its nuclear program would place Iran in breach of the JCPOA.

French President Emmanuel Macron gave a press conference on May 9th in which he stated that the JCPOA should be strengthened with complementary agreements that would address the regime’s ballistic missile program and its destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Surprise and Complaints from the Regime

The Iranian regime was unprepared for the strong reaction from European officials. Until the May 8th announcement, EU leaders had hoped to bypass U.S. sanctions with an alternative payment system known as INSTEX. The financial tool would have allowed oil transactions to pass from European countries to the Iranian regime without going through U.S. banking institutions.

When the regime did not get the expected appeasement from the EU, it resorted to resentful complaints about the failure of INSTEX. Keyhan, a representative of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, wrote, “We shouldn’t expect Europe to have the will to even launch a useless financial channel.”

MEK sources inside Iran initially uncovered the regime’s nuclear program at great personal risk, leading to the pre-2015 sanctions. The MEK supports a non-nuclear Iran as part of its political platform.

Staff writer

Ali Safavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s (NCRI) Foreign Affairs Committee penned an op-ed article in Lima Charlie World. Within the piece, he demonstrates that the Iranian regime’s crackdown on the opposition movement stems from the movement’s rapidly increasing support among the Iranian people.

The People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), Iran’s largest and most popular opposition group, has played a central role in organizing protests and mobilizing the Iranian public against the clerical regime.

'Iranian crackdown on MEK shows the activist group has popular support,' writes Ali Safavi, member of NCRI-FAC. "Tehran routinely refers to the MEK as an 'existential threat.'"#Iran #IranProtests @LimaCharlieNews @amsafavi https://t.co/uuSeIbKn0g

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) May 30, 2019

A Group Under Attack

Its relentless commitment to protecting the human rights of Iranian people has put it in the regime’s crosshairs. As a result, the regime has sought to demonize, discredit, attack, murder and terrorize the MEK. In 2018, the regime launched a string of terror attacks and assassination attempts against the group.

The clerical regime attempted to bomb the group’s annual Grand Gathering in Paris, an event attended by more than 100,000 MEK supporters from across the world. In another incident, the regime attempted to bomb the MEK’s compound in Albania during the Iranian New Year celebrations.

“Tehran routinely refers to the MEK as an “existential threat” and subjects sympathizers to prison, torture, and death by hanging,” Safavi writes. He described how since 1979 the Iranian regime has executed more than 100,000 political opponents, many of whom were MEK members.

In the summer of 1988 alone, the regime systematically rounded up and executed more than 30,000 MEK members and sympathizers.

Unashamed

The regime has begun publicly acknowledging the threat the MEK poses to its future in power. Regime officials have also begun publicly referring to the violent crackdowns and efforts to curb the opposition’s activities.

Iran’s increasing crackdown on the #MEK, an activist group accused by the mullahs of organizing mass protests, proves the group is the main alternative to the current Iranian regime – OPINION by @amsafavihttps://t.co/tjrZWpeTPn

— LIMA CHARLIE NEWS | WORLD (@LimaCharlieNews) June 1, 2019

In April 2019, Mahmoud Alavi, the Minister of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) publicly confirmed that the regime had “confronted” and “dealt with” 116 MEK resistance units across Iran in the last twelve months.

Later the same month, the MOIS Director General for East Azerbaijan Province announced that 60 MEK members had been arrested as part of a crackdown.

East Azerbaijan Intelligence Official Claims 60 MEK Units Arrested in 2018, 50 More Were “Briefed”

In Tehran, just weeks ago, a MEK member was sentenced to death. Three others received prison sentences for engaging in peaceful demonstrations against the regime.

These comments reflect “a small sample” of the true numbers of MEK activists languishing behind bars, Safavi writes.

Lashing Out

The recent crackdown, Safavi argues, illustrates that the regime is becoming increasingly nervous. “That is why it is on the hunt for anyone associated with the MEK,” he writes.

The regime has employed the same strategy before. When it was threatened in 2009 by a wave of public protests and outcry, it hanged MEK supporters.

The regime used an extensive demonization campaign to justify its violence against the MEK. The regime has accused the MEK and its president-elect, Maryam Rajavi, of being involved in terrorist acts. “Yet, a French investigative magistrate concluded after an eight-year investigation that the MEK’s military operations, which were unilaterally halted in 2001, were not terrorism, but rather resistance against tyranny,” Safavi writes.

MEK Will Not Be Silenced

The MEK is expanding its operations. It has established “Units of Rebellion” across Iran, each one committed to confronting the regime’s activities of suppression. The regime has carried out a wave of arrests.

The MEK’s efficient and effective organizational structure has allowed it to build a resilient network of activists across the country, committed to realizing the Iranian public’s dream of a democratic Iran. However, it needs the support of the international community.

It needs international governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and human rights groups to pressure the regime to release MEK members in regime custody for peacefully protesting. The MEK has also called on international governments to add the MOIS to its international terror blacklists over its involvement in plots to assassinate and maim MEK members.

“Let’s send another strong message to Tehran that its terrorism is no longer tolerated,” Safavi concluded.

Staff writer

 

 

On Friday, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) released a statement concerning the arrests of eleven people for supporting MEK following the regime’s recent crackdown on protests and political dissent within the country.

According to the statement, the crackdown is the most recent desperate attempt by the mullahs to quell the rising outrage in the country due to the dire state of the economy, the regime’s bungled response to the catastrophic floods last month, and the growing influence of MEK Resistance Units, resistance councils, and the nation’s rebellious in organizing protests. These fears have been intensified by the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and the strengthening of U.S. oil sanctions in the past months.

 

Regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has taken a number of hardline measures to try to prevent the overthrow of the clerical regime. In March, Khamenei appointed notorious Death Committee member Ebrahim Raisi to the position of Judiciary Chief. Raisi was personally responsible for sending thousands of MEK supporters to their executions during the 1988 Massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. Khamenei then appointed Salami, Fadavi, and Naghdi as Commander, Deputy Commander, and Coordinator of the IRGC. All three men are known for their cruelty, according to the NCRI statement.

 

The regime has now launched a new wave of suppressive measures to prevent the spread of popular uprisings. Hashd al-Shabi forces were transferred from Iraq to flood-stricken areas in Iran, where victims of the disaster are protesting the lack of government aid. Last week, the regime announced the widespread launch of the Razavion, which it has described as “neighborhood-based security patrols.” Security forces have stepped up arrests of political dissidents, particularly MEK supporters.

Arrests of MEK Activists

 

The NCRI obtained the names of eleven people that have been arrested in late April 2019, for supporting MEK:

 

• Nematollah Hakimi Kiasarai, 46, Tehran
• Salar Eskandarzadeh, 29, Tehran
• Hamid Reza Haddadi, 36, Kermanshah
• Dariush Hosseini, 65, Mahshahr
• Mohammad Khatibnia, 28, Khorramabad
• Reza Nabavi, 24, Semnan
• Mohsen Hosseini, 23, along with his two brothers, Neyshabur
• Mahmoud Salami, 25, Neyshabur
• Shokouh Majd, 55, Neyshabur

 

 

On April 23rd, the MEK released a list of 28 people who were arrested prior to that date for the similar charges.

 

On April 19, 2019, Mullah Alavi, the regime’s Minister of Intelligence, said in a speech that 116 teams associated with the MEK had been arrested over the past Iranian calendar year. On April 24th, the Director General of Intelligence in East Azarbaijan Province followed that statement with his own numbers, reporting 60 arrests and 50 additional encounters with MEK supporters over the past year.

 

These numbers do not take into account arrests made by the regime’s other suppressive organs, including the IRGC and local law enforcement. Actual arrest numbers are much higher.

Statement by Maryam Rajavi

International call to visit religious fascism prisons and to meet political prisoners#Iranhttps://t.co/ityDvxrDAq pic.twitter.com/eUPoJ5o3IB

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) May 17, 2019

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, once again called on the United Nations Secretary-General, High Commissioner and Human Rights Council, as well as international human rights organizations,  to take urgent action to secure the release of imprisoned people. She also called for the appointment of delegations to visit the regime’s prisons in order to meet with political prisoners. Mrs. Rajavi stresses that political prisoners in Iran are subject to torture and execution.

Staff writer

The Institute for Science and International Security, a think tank focused on nuclear proliferation, published a report on May 7, shedding light on the Iranian regime’s clandestine nuclear program. The report, entitled ‘Shock Wave Generator for Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program: More than a Feasibility Study’, used information previously revealed by the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), to gather intelligence and build a greater understanding of the Iranian development and manufacturing of key nuclear weapon subcomponents.

THREAD
1
'Shock Wave Generator for #Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program:More than Feasibility Study’was released by @TheGoodISIS on May7,based on Iran’s nuke archives detailing development&manufacturing of key nuclear weapon subcomponent-“shock wave generator”https://t.co/u5nlEnPkCe

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

The Ahmad Plan

The report reveals that since the early 2000s, the Iranian regime has been active in the development of nuclear weapon subcomponents. The Ahmad Plan, as it was known, sought to develop a “shock wave generator”, a system designed to initiate a charge that would prompt weapons-grade uranium to achieve a supercritical mass and create a nuclear explosion.

The Ahmad Plan sought to develop five nuclear weapons using this technology. It also implemented the construction of an underground facility for nuclear testing. The report also indicated that the plan involved “at least one former member of the Soviet nuclear weapons program”, indicating that the clerical regime had the assistance of foreign agents.

Deep Cover

The report goes on to describe how after 2003, when the MEK and National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exposed many of the regime’s clandestine nuclear activities, parts of the program were given cover stories.

4
Sanjarian site was first publicly identified in2009 by @Iran_policy,as “Research Center for Explosion&Impact”(METFAZ).#NCRI stated this site was developing high-explosive detonators for use in atomic bombs & manufacturing components for these detonation systems pic.twitter.com/wwc8KwH0V4

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

One such location was located near the village of Sanjarian. Known as the “Sanjarian facility”, the site was the location chosen to build the explosive components in the shock wave generator. After 2003, it was redesigned to appear to be a non-military facility carrying out non-military tests, hiding its true purpose.

However, in 2009, the NCRI and MEK sources got wind of the activities taking place at Sanjarian. The opposition revealed that the facility was engaged in the development of high-explosive detonators for use in nuclear weapons.

Staying One Step Ahead

More recently, the MEK confirmed that the regime had moved many of its activities out of Sanjarian. The opposition group concluded that the bulwark of the Iranian nuclear program was now being carried out in the Parchin military complex.

This is supported by satellite imagery of the Sanjarian facility, which appears less maintained than in previous years.

14
NCRI stated METFAZ in 2017 did not conduct these activities at Sanjarian,but conducted them at another location, identified as the “Research Academy” located in tunnels near Mamlo Dam north of Parchin High Explosive Test Chamber Facility

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

In 2017, the MEK published extensive findings on the Iranian nuclear weapons program. It revealed that the majority of its activities were now taking place in tunnels near Mamlo Dam north of the Parchin High Explosive Test Chamber Facility.

Ongoing Surveillance

The report concludes that moving forward, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be permitted to regularly inspect Iran’s nuclear research sites, including Parchin and Sanjarian and examine any equipment and materials relating to the enrichment of uranium and development of shock wave generators.

The IAEA must also be granted permission to interview personnel involved in the shock wave generator project and characterize and understand the status of the project today.

The MEK will continue to work tirelessly to expose the Iranian regime’s nuclear activities. Since 1991, the resistance group has exposed some 100 secret nuclear projects and helped prevent the regime from fulfilling its nuclear ambitions.

 

 

 

 

On Monday, April 13, students at Tehran university held a rally in opposition at the Iranian regime over the repressive restrictions in place on female students’ clothing on campus. A video clip of the students’ rally was shared across social media by the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK).

The University of Tehran enforces new restrictive forced hijab regulations. Female students have to wear the hijab and cannot make their own decisions regarding freedom of clothing. They chanted, “college students would rather die than live in shame,” and held signs reading: ““Freedom of choice is our right.”

May 13, Tehran #Iran
The action of the university which is a sheer violation of privacy of students and directly violates their human rights and is a clear tyranny against female students, has been received with much protests in the student communities.#IranProtest @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/swycfoGSwl

— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) May 13, 2019

A Nationwide Suppressive Force

The student protests come just days after the regime announced that it would launch a new police force to tackle political dissent and expression.

Last Wednesday, the regime’s chief of police, Hossein Ashtari, announced the assembly of the Razavion Patrol. The patrol is an extension of the Basij patrols that have taken place since the nationwide uprising in early 2018. The Basij forces regularly set up checkpoints in areas where there are more protests and harass suspected dissidents (i.e. supporters of the MEK).

The Razavion Patrol will undertake similar activities but are expected to have more funds and resources than their Basij counterparts.

Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar, a commander in the Basij forces had alluded to the crackdown last September. He revealed, “we have begun a series of plans to upgrade the IRGC Basij… we believe our patrols are more effective than checkpoints. More recently, these Basij patrols have been dubbed as the Razavion network.”

The network was partially rolled out in November, with patrols beginning in Bukan and Yazd, as well as in Alborz Province. However, it wasn’t a nationwide scheme until now.

Growing Concerns

The Iranian regime is increasing pressure on protestors. The most recent student protest will have only increased regime fears that the political opposition is drawing increased support from the Iranian population.

2019 has seen regime officials become increasingly worried about the rising popularity of the MEK, the largest and most organized opposition group. Javad Javeed-Nia, the regime’s Deputy Prosecutor General in Cyberspace Affairs, said : “Considering the fact that our enemies [the MEK] have established cyber armies against the [mullahs’ regime], those who care about our state must launch a media campaign against the enemy, identify the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, and place forward an adequate analysis.”

The state-run Tehran Press News Agency also expressed concerns over the MEK’s use of the instant messaging app, Telegram.

The students’ rally must be seen in the context of a regime rapidly losing its grip on power in the face of mounting political dissent. The Iranian public, like Tehran’s youth, will not stand idly by while the regime embarks on a campaign of violence and repression.

The mullahs are scared. They are right to be. The tide of change is coming.

Staff writer