The recent presidential election in Iran has once again exposed the deep-rooted crisis facing the clerical regime. As Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), observed, this election was a desperate attempt by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to ensure the regime’s survival. However, this gambit has spectacularly backfired, pushing the regime closer to its inevitable downfall.
The Iranian people’s widespread boycott of the election, with a staggering 91% abstaining from the sham vote, speaks volumes about their rejection of the entire theocratic system. This massive boycott has made Ali Khamenei the strategic loser of this electoral facade. The death of Ebrahim Raisi and the shattering of Khamenei’s dreams to purify the regime have ushered in a new equilibrium under the rule of Velayat-e Faqih, reminiscent of the Shah’s regime’s final days.
The nationwide boycott of the election also reaffirmed that the “reformists” vs. “hardliners” narrative is long overdue. Despite efforts from Mohammad Khatami, Hassan Rouhani, and Javad Zarif to encourage voter participation, they were ultimately rejected by the Iranian people. The effects of this crushing blow to the decrepit and feeble Supreme Leader have shaken the regime’s pillars. The system’s foundations have become riddled from within, and internal power struggles have intensified, with factions tearing each other apart.
If the regime's new president does not intend to continue the path mandated by Khamenei for Raisi, he must abolish mandatory hijab, disband the patrols that suppress women, release political prisoners, and eliminate the death penalty, torture, and any form of internet filtering.… pic.twitter.com/GFjvGEbXfy
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 6, 2024
It’s important to note that the newly “elected” president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is not a reformist. When asked about his agenda, he admitted that Khamenei sets all plans and policies, and deviating from them was his red line. He further publicly stated that he is devoted to the Supreme Leader and, following his selection, declared his allegiance to Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the regime. This continuation of the status quo flies in the face of the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy.
The Iranian Resistance emphasizes that if there is no deception at play and Pezeshkian truly does not exhibit pure loyalty to Velayat-e Faqih, contrary to his own words, he can be tested with specific actions. These include:
- Canceling mandatory hijab and disbanding suppressive patrols.
- Releasing all political prisoners and allowing international fact-finding missions.
- Abolishing the death penalty and inhuman punishments.
- Removing internet restrictions and censorship.
- Clearing universities of regime operatives.
- Disbanding the so-called revolutionary courts.
- Securing workers’ rights with their input.
- Decreasing prices of essential goods and services.
- Dissolving the Guardian Council.
- Renewing parliamentary elections without requiring adherence to Velayat-e Faqih.
#Raisi’s Death Cripples Khamenei’s Decade-Long Project to Maintain Rule over #Iran https://t.co/ibcs5oMwbB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 22, 2024
These demands align with Mrs. Rajavi’s outline of the people’s modest expectations, highlighting the vast gulf between the regime’s policies and citizens’ basic rights.
As Iran grapples with economic hardship, regional conflicts, and internal dissent, the regime finds itself increasingly cornered. Mrs. Rajavi’s assertion that “The truth is that the entire Velayat-e Faqih regime is in the phase of overthrow” underscores the fundamental incompatibility between the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic future and the regime’s entrenched authoritarianism.
The international community must recognize this critical juncture in Iran’s history. Rather than legitimizing a sham election process, world leaders should stand firmly with the Iranian people in their quest for genuine democracy and human rights.
In conclusion, this election has only highlighted the regime’s vulnerability and isolation. As Mrs. Rajavi predicts, “The clerical regime will be overthrown by the Iranian people through their uprisings and organized resistance. A democratic republic will be established in Iran.”