The influence of the Iranian regime reaches far beyond its borders, contributing to international crises and conflicts, such as drones killing civilians in Ukraine and supporting terror proxies in the Middle East. These actions serve a dual purpose for the regime: diverting attention from domestic challenges and promoting an agenda based on fundamentalism and terrorism.
Simultaneously, within Iran, the regime has escalated its suppression tactics in response to growing discontent and opposition. Over the past two months, state-sanctioned executions, particularly those involved in the previous year’s protests, have surged. Draconian laws targeting women and youth further reveal the regime’s agenda. Rather than interpreting these actions as a display of strength, one should recognize the regime’s desperate attempt to delay an imminent uprising fueled by decades of socio-political oppression, economic inequality, and ethnic discrimination.
Amidst this domestic turmoil, the regime has launched a sinister misinformation campaign to tarnish the image of the Iranian organized resistance movement, specifically targeting the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mujahedin Organization (PMOI or MEK). Faced with criticism on various fronts, the regime aims to attack what it considers its most vulnerable point: a viable and capable alternative to its malign existence.
The regime’s resort to show trials, exemplified by the recent trial of 104 members of the Resistance, indicates its intention to politically and militarily target the opposition. By leveraging forthcoming sentences, the regime seeks to pressure other countries to curb the activities of the NCRI while attempting more acts of terror against members of the Iranian Resistance, justifying them as legitimate targets.
NCRI Editorial | Deciphering Regime’s Legal Theatrics Against Iran’s Resistance
The objective is to extend suppression of the MEK members & activists to European soil and deny them their fundamental rights.#IranRevolution, #MEK, #Ashraf3, https://t.co/2TFLxkHqyK— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) August 3, 2023
This judicial charade, coupled with orchestrated terrorist attacks on the Resistance’s offices in Paris and Berlin as well as the assassination attempt against Prof. Alejo Vidal Quadras, former First Vice President of the European Parliament, underscores the Iranian regime’s unwavering commitment to stifling dissent.
On the regional front, Tehran struggles to navigate multiple, sometimes conflicting interests and priorities. While it aims to present itself as a formidable threat to the West and a major power in the Middle East, it fears serious challenges on the ground. This dichotomy pushes its proxies to endanger international waters and regional stability while verbally distancing itself from the conflict.
As the Iranian regime continues its dual strategy of domestic suppression and global terrorism, the international community must recognize its failure to persuade or even intimidate Tehran into becoming a benign actor. Instead of delaying a solution, the world should focus on what Tehran has long indicated as its Achilles’ Heels.
Activating the snapback mechanism of the United Nations Resolution 2231 and reinstating the six UN resolutions is not only an appropriate response to the regime’s nuclear deviations but is long overdue. Closing down the regime’s embassies in all capitals would acknowledge the threats intelligence agencies have long warned against.
Supporting the Iranian people’s quest for freedom and democracy sends a clear message to the terrorist regime: enough is enough. It is time for the world to address the vulnerabilities of the Iranian regime and stand in solidarity with those seeking a change to the status quo.