Over the years, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have faced recurring accusations of terrorism, particularly from the U.S. State Department. The MEK and the NCRI have strongly refuted these allegations in various public statements and published works. Below, we present several key historical documents that provide context and direct responses to these charges, shedding light on the political motivations behind such designations.
Interview with Massoud Rajavi (Associated Press – August 8, 1985)
In a landmark interview conducted by the Associated Press on August 8, 1985, Massoud Rajavi, the leader of the MEK, directly addressed and rejected the U.S. State Department’s allegations against the organization. He emphasized the MEK’s commitment to democracy and its opposition to the theocratic dictatorship ruling Iran. The interview offers valuable insights into the MEK’s political stance and its response to the label of terrorism.
A PDF of the original interview is attached below.
“Democracy Betrayed” – Publication by the NCRI (March 1995)
In March 1995, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran published a detailed book titled Democracy Betrayed. This work systematically responded to the State Department’s accusations, arguing that the terrorist designation was not only baseless but also a politically motivated act to appease the Iranian regime. The publication highlights the MEK’s extensive documentation of human rights violations in Iran and its efforts to promote democratic change.
The full PDF of the book is attached below.
Reuters Report on Martin Indyk’s Statement (October 14, 1999)
On October 14, 1999, Reuters reported a significant admission by Martin Indyk, then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Indyk acknowledged that the decision to label the NCRI as an alias of the MEK was made following pressure from the Iranian regime. He stated:
“The Iranian government had brought this to our attention. We looked into it and saw that there were good reasons for designating the NCR as an alias for the MEK.”
Indyk also confirmed that this designation would entail full application of restrictions typically imposed on terrorist-designated groups, such as visa bans and asset freezes.
The PDF version of the Reuters article is linked below.
MEK Publication on the Iran-Iraq War (1980)
An additional historical document comes from the official Mojahedin publication dated 1980 (1359 in the Iranian calendar), which outlines the organization’s position at the outset of the Iran-Iraq War. Contrary to later propaganda, the document clearly shows that the MEK actively mobilized its forces and members to the frontlines to defend Iran against the Iraqi invasion. The publication emphasizes that the MEK fought against Iraq as long as Iraqi forces remained on Iranian soil, reflecting their nationalist stance at the time. This early record dismantles later accusations suggesting that the MEK collaborated with Iraq during the war, and instead highlights their initial military resistance in defense of Iran.
A PDF of the original publication is attached below.
These documents provide critical historical evidence that the terrorist designation of the MEK was not based solely on objective assessments, but was significantly influenced by the political dynamics of the time, particularly efforts to engage the Iranian regime. We invite readers to explore the attached documents and judge for themselves the validity of the MEK’s responses and the broader implications of the State Department’s decisions.