The US representative office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), celebrated Iranian New Year (Nowruz) by hosting a dinner reception. The event, held in Washington D.C. on March 22, featured several prominent former US officials who spoke at length on the threat the Iranian regime poses to international peace, stability and human rights.

All of those that took the floor took the opportunity to call for a firm stance from the US government towards the Iranian threat. But among the calls for firm action were hopeful messages. Dr. Sofey Saidi of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee opened the evening with a speech full of optimism.

A number of prominent speakers addressed the gathering of young and old at the NCRI-US Nowruz dinner receprtion, against the backdrop of an elaborate Haft Seen, a traditional symbol of the ancient Persian Nowruz festivities. #Iran #Nowruz https://t.co/J91DRFWGCn pic.twitter.com/Vt7zmZI5pp

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) March 26, 2019

She outlined how 2019 is set to be a strong year for the pro-democratic opposition in Iran. The NCRI and its main member, the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK) are making huge strides within Iran. Its resistance units in Iranian towns and cities have mobilized the disenfranchised Iranian population. Iran’s citizens are protesting the mullahs’ tyranny in streets across Iran on an almost daily basis. The fall of the mullahs is “inevitable,” Saidi said.

Unlawful Arrests

When Tom Ridge, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, took the floor, he condemned the regimes unlawful arrests of more than 10,000 people across 160 Iranian towns and cities. “The people in their own way are saying that the situation is unacceptable and they want change,” he said.

Former Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph echoed these sentiments. He was hopeful that the Iranian people would “throw off this yoke of oppression.” “The days get longer than the nights, and the light replaces the darkness,” he said, adding that the symbolism of Nowruz was not lost on the Iranian people. “Forty years of oppression is forty years too long for the Iranian people,” he concluded.

A former US ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Kenneth Blackwell, spoke of the “new burst and a new energy and a new yearning for freedom in the country.”

The Only Viable Alternative to the Mullahs

The speakers also all echoed the same conviction that Iran’s rejection of the religious fascism instilled by the clerical regime must be replaced with the democratic values outlined in the MEK and Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan.

The U.S. Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US) celebrated the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, with a dinner reception at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC on March 22nd. #Iran #NowRuz pic.twitter.com/GtFEh2kL5P

— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) March 26, 2019

Robert Joseph said, “the ten-point plan of the MEK and the NCRI, I think, point the way to freedom and point the way to bringing that light to take away the darkeness.” “The rebirth of the great Persian nation is at hand,” he said, concluding, “the goal that so many of you have sought for so many years is reachable… the inevitable result is a free Iran.”

On Wednesday, March 20th, members of the MEK and the Iranian Resistance gathered in Tirana, Albania, to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins on the March 21st at the moment of the vernal equinox. The celebration included speeches from the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran Maryam Rajavi, former Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, and Deputy Director of the Albanian Democratic Party Edmond Spaho, along with a fireworks display and entertainment.

Maryam Rajavi’s Speech

Maryam Rajavi’s speech highlighted the successes of the MEK and the Iranian opposition over the past year and the progress that has been made in leading the country toward freedom. She described the mullahs’ failed efforts to suppress the Iranian opposition and discredit the MEK, and she provided a roadmap for the upcoming year.

“In these moments just after the turn of the year, we stand with Iran’s workers whose dinner tables are without food,” Mrs. Rajavi said.

The gates of #Iran are open to embrace a future without oppression, inequality and injustice. A republic based on the separation of religion and state; a country ruled by its people’s suffrage and sovereignty, where the people’s votes have the first and final words. #Nowruz pic.twitter.com/uINPhpbj6j

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) March 20, 2019

“We stand alongside our farmers whose farms are dry and without water. We stand with the honorable teachers of Iran who are discriminated against and humiliated, who are forced to live under the poverty line, and who are imprisoned for their legitimate protests. And we are in alliance with and fighting alongside the army of millions of unemployed youth and graduates whose numbers grow by the year,” she continued.

Rajavi praised the MEK Resistance Units for their work in 1397, the previous Iranian calendar year. “1397 was the year of the expansion of Resistance Units when the strategy of 1,000 Ashrafs and the army of freedom shined brighter than ever in our occupied homeland. In 1397, the uprisings and protests shook the ground under the mullahs’ regime. Last year, the National Liberation Army culminated in 1,000 Ashrafs and Resistance Units, which sprouted in cities across the country. The policy of appeasement was defeated and the mullahs lost one of the main pillars propping up their rule,” she said.

Mrs. Rajavi discussed Iran’s failing economy and described the measures the regime has taken to sell off the country’s resources in order to postpone its inevitable downfall. She emphasized the futility of these efforts. The people have already begun to rise up.

“Still, this regime,” Mrs. Rajavi stressed, “which is close to its downfall, will not be able to save itself with the aid of such treacherous acts. In short, the mullahs have no way out in the face of nationwide uprisings and protests that are encircling them. This results from an understanding of the essence of the uprisings and offers a summary of the past year’s events. The regime’s death knell and internal tensions have left no more openings for it to display hollow shows of moderation.”

Mrs. Rajavi pointed to the appointment of Ebrahim Raisi as the new Judiciary Chief as a sign of desperation by the regime, meant to heal rifts between factions in the government

“Moderation was put to death by the appointment of Ebrahim Raisi as Chief Justice. He is a hated mass murderer who ran against Rouhani in the regime’s presidential elections. Raisi’s appointment was a coup de grace to the elusive myth of moderation. This while Rouhani’s government is half-paralyzed as their showcase foreign minister keeps sitting at home every other day or resigns,” she said.

Raisi’s appointment was a coup de grace to the illusive myth of moderation. This while Rouhani’s government is half-paralyzed as their showcase foreign minister keeps sitting at home every other day or resigns. #Iran#IranProtests

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) March 20, 2019

Mrs. Rajavi pointed out that the problems in Iran go further than any specific crisis within the regime. “Now, the strategy and stances of the Iranian Resistance are echoed by the words and demands of workers, truckers, teachers, students, farmers and all protesters throughout the country: The overthrow of the clerical regime is the desire and demand of all the people of Iran. The problem is not whether this regime is engulfed in this or that crisis; the problem is that the mullahs’ rule is in crisis altogether. Yes, the crisis is the crisis of overthrow,” she said.

Mrs. Rajavi concluded her speech with a description of a free Iran: “We want an Iran replete with freedoms, where children and youths are happy, where talents and potentials are realized, and where women play their role in the leadership of society; a country that lives in peace, friendship, and coexistence with its neighbors. The people of Iran deserve such a country and they will write and create such a destiny with their own hands.”

Pandeli Majko’s Speech

Former Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko followed Mrs. Rajavi’s speech with his own warm wishes for the new year, referring to Ashraf 3, the MEK’s headquarters in Tirana, as the Iranian embassy.

“Everything that is coming is new and hope. Albania and Albanians have one of the best embassies for Iran. It is Ashraf. We are proud to have friends like you and Madame Rajavi. No doubt, she will lead the future of Iran. Happy New Year!” he said.

Minister @PandeliMajko: "Happy 2b with U in the feast of #Nowruz"
Referring to the expulsion of the #Iranian regime diplomat terrorists (Iranian regime Ambassador&his deputy) from Albania, he emphasized that the real embassy of #Iran is in AshrafII, the #MEK residence."#FreeIran pic.twitter.com/HgjT5YFAM2

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 20, 2019

Edmond Spaho’s Speech

Edmond Spaho, Deputy Director of the Albanian Democratic Party, also praised the Iranian Resistance in a speech and noted his support for expelling Iranian regime diplomats from Albania for their involvement in terrorist activities.

“With your efforts and the struggles of the Iranian people, next year, God willing, we’ll celebrate New Year in Iran. The future belongs to the people of Iran. Without a doubt, Iran will be free and produce prosperity for its people and stability in the region,” Spaho said.

“Despite the fact that my party is currently the opposition, we are unified to support you and we even support the actions of the government to expel Tehran’s diplomats who were involved in terrorist activities,” he added.

Min. @pdshqiperi, deputy of the Democratic party of #Albania, while wishing #Iranian resistance a happy #Nowruz&a victorious #NewYear, emphasized on all parties support regarding the government's policies towards #Iran,&the expulsion of regime's DiplomtTerrorists.#FreeIran pic.twitter.com/J0ev8fPA9A

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 20, 2019

Staff writer