In a fiery address on June 21 at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris, former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Struan Stevenson delivered a sharp rebuke to the French government following the suppression of a planned rally. Stevenson, a long-time advocate for the Iranian Resistance, described the actions of French police—who reportedly detained several peaceful protesters and left many stranded in extreme heat—as a “stain” on the nation’s democratic reputation. He urged President Emmanuel Macron to take responsibility, emphasizing that the treatment of the Iranian diaspora would not be forgotten.
Transitioning from this critique to a reflection on the movement’s history, Stevenson underscored the strength and perseverance of the NCRI. Recounting 25 years of advocacy alongside colleagues like Alejo Vidal-Quadras and Paulo Casaca, he highlighted how the movement has consistently overcome existential threats, including terrorist blacklisting and the deadly massacres at Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty.
Stevenson drew a powerful parallel between the iron-willed leadership of the past and the current resistance, explicitly referring to Mrs. Maryam Rajavi as the movement’s own “Iron Lady.” He affirmed his unwavering support for the residents of Ashraf 3 and the Resistance Units, labeling them the “bedrock” of a future, liberated Iran. Closing his speech with an emphasis on resolve, Stevenson urged all those fighting for freedom—from the diaspora to the rebellious youth within Iran—to remain focused on their ultimate objective. His final, rallying cry to the audience was one of absolute certainty: “Victory!”
The full text of Struan Stevenson‘s speech follows:
Liberté, égalité, fraternité, but apparently not here in Paris.
Lafayette will be turning in his grave. What happened yesterday was an outrage. It is a stain on the reputation of the French government.
I want to send a strong message today to President Macron: you cannot allow that behavior to take place.
To corral 100,000 Iranians who wanted to have a peaceful rally in Paris, [and] to hold tens of thousands of them in buses for hours in 36 degrees centigrade[—]that is outrageous.
For the police dressed in riot gear to wrestle members of the peaceful Iranian diaspora to the ground[—]some are in prison, some are in hospital[—]this is an absolute outrage, and it will not be forgotten, President Macron.
But I want to speak to you very briefly about strength.
For 25 years, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, myself, [and] Paulo Casaca, have been supporting Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI.
During that quarter-century, we have encountered so many major issues, major crises, and major events.
— STRUAN STEVENSON (@STRUANSTEVENSON) June 4, 2026
We were on the terrorist list, as you’ve heard. We had the attacks and massacres in Camp Ashraf, then in Camp Liberty.
We had the problem of moving all of our brothers and sisters from Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty [to freedom] in Albania.
But each time we have confronted these problems, and we have overcome them through strength, and through victory!
And I want to say to all our brothers and sisters in Ashraf 3, and to the Resistance Units, and the people of Iran who want rid of this evil regime, that you are the bedrock of a future Iran, and we support you 100%!
And be under no doubt: we used to call Mrs. Thatcher in the UK “the Iron Lady”, but you have the Iron Lady now in Mrs. Rajavi!
There is one word that I will finish with, and it’s a word that must guide all of us in Ashraf 3, in the Resistance Units, in the rebellious youth, and the population of Iran.
And that one word is: victory!