On May 31, 2025, at the second session of the 2025 Free Iran Conference near Paris, former Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde delivered a strong message of solidarity with the Iranian people and their organized resistance. Haarde began by honoring the late Finnish politician Kimmo Sasi, a longtime supporter of the NCRI, who passed away earlier this year.
Haarde condemned the Iranian regime’s escalating executions, citing over 1,000 in 2024 alone, and expressed solidarity with PMOI activists currently on death row, including Behrouz Eshani and Mehdi Hasani. He praised the bravery of Resistance Units inside Iran and affirmed support for the Iranian people’s clear demand for a secular, democratic republic—rejecting both monarchy and theocracy.
As a founding member of the Free Iran Alliance, Haarde emphasized the global significance of a democratic Iran for Middle East and world stability. He called on the European Union to blacklist the IRGC and urged governments to officially endorse Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, already backed by thousands of lawmakers and over 100 former world leaders.
Haarde concluded with a direct appeal to Western leaders: “It’s time to end four decades of appeasement of the mullahs’ regime. It is time to stand united with the Iranian people and their organized resistance.”
The full text of Geir Haarde’s speech follows. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
.@GHaarde: I urge the EU to blacklist the #IRGC as the terrorist org it is—as demanded in multiple EU Parliament resolutions. All governments should endorse @Maryam_Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a free, secular, democratic Iran.#NCRIAlternative
https://t.co/X83jMFbZqD— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 31, 2025
Dear President-elect Madame Rajavi, esteemed colleagues and friends—friends of freedom, which is what we all are:
I’d like to begin my remarks by paying tribute to a good friend of ours and a great supporter of the Iranian Resistance who just passed away. That is Mr. Kimmo Sasi from Finland, who for decades was my good colleague and friend through our work in the Nordic Council and several other forums. As you know, he was a regular visitor here on these occasions, and we dearly miss him. He was a great guy. Thank you for remembering Kimmo.
Now—as with so many of you—I have been a longtime supporter of the fight for freedom in Iran. And like everyone else here today, I am extremely concerned by the escalating human rights crisis in Iran.
In 2024, the regime executed over 1,000 people—just as Madam Rajavi told us. They executed over 1,000 of their own citizens. And this grim trend continues into 2025. I want to use this opportunity to declare my solidarity and support for the brave PMOI activists on death row in Iran today, including Behrouz Eshani and Mehdi Hasani.
We are fighting for you.
The Iranian people have shown immense courage—rejecting both monarchical and religious dictatorships during the 2022 uprising—and continuing to resist, despite brutal crackdowns. Their demand for a democratic and secular republic is clear. And they deserve our support in their fight against oppression.
Despite the regime’s total suppression, the Resistance Units bravely stand against the terror and repression of the Revolutionary Guards. And we must all declare our solidarity with the Resistance Units.
Earlier this year, I became a founding member of the Free Iran Alliance, a coalition of distinguished leaders—including former heads of state, ministers, and other prominent figures—committed to advocating for a free and democratic Iran.
We view a free and democratic Iran as essential not only for stability in the Middle East—but also for peace worldwide.
We are committed to supporting the Iranian people and their efforts to establish a secular republic based on human rights, gender equality, and free and fair elections—as well as the other points in Madam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
We support the Iranian people’s right to self-determination, free from theocracy and a dictatorial monarchy. We advocate for a future where Iranians can choose their government democratically, rejecting all forms of dictatorship.
Former Iceland PM @GHaarde: I stand in solidarity with the brave @Mojahedineng activists on death row in Iran, including #BehrouzEhsani and #MehdiHassani. We are fighting for you.
https://t.co/X83jMFbZqD— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 31, 2025
I urge the European Union to take decisive action by blacklisting the IRGC as the terrorist organization that it is—as has already been demanded in several European parliamentary resolutions.
Additionally, I call on all governments to endorse Madam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran—a plan that envisions a free Iran based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and free elections.
This plan—already supported by over 4,000 parliamentarians and more than 100 former world leaders—offers a roadmap to a democratic future in Iran and lasting peace in the region.
I am proud to be among the former leaders who have endorsed the Ten-Point Plan. And I want to personally appeal to our leaders in Europe:
It is time to end four decades of appeasement of the mullahs’ regime.
It is time to stand united with the Iranian people and their organized resistance movement as they bring about a free Iran.
And this is exactly what we are all here for.
Thank you very much—and best of luck, Madam Rajavi.