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In recent weeks, Persian-language social media has been ablaze with an intense wave of disinformation, slander, and vitriol directed at the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its central organization, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). This coordinated attack comes in the wake of critical actions taken by the NCRI to advance its mission of freeing Iran from its current regime and establishing a democratic future for the Iranian people.
On December 11, the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), an affiliate of the NCRI, hosted an event in the U.S. Senate. Senior senators from both major political parties, alongside prominent American generals and national security experts, gathered to voice their support for regime change in Iran. They also reaffirmed their backing for Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan, which envisions a peaceful transition of power from theocratic rule to a democratic Iran led by its people.
Days later, on December 17, another bipartisan event was held in the U.S. House of Representatives. Legislators emphasized the urgency of addressing the Iranian regime’s terrorism and fundamentalism, underscoring the importance of supporting democratic alternatives. Then, on December 20, the NCRI’s Washington office unveiled new intelligence obtained from inside Iran by the PMOI’s extensive network. These revelations exposed Tehran’s clandestine nuclear weapons program, calling on the international community to act decisively to prevent the regime’s acquisition of weapons of mass destruction.
#Iran’s Regime Shifted Approach in Addressing it’s #MEK Problemhttps://t.co/jFp6G15tcX
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 14, 2024
These bold initiatives provoked a predictable backlash from the Iranian regime and its cyber army. The regime’s allies refer to the PMOI as a “terrorist cult” in an attempt to undermine their legitimacy and dissuade international support. Their central claim? That supporting the NCRI and PMOI risks repeating the Syrian revolution scenario in Iran, where an organized, disciplined, and ideologically cohesive Muslim group ultimately emerged victorious, defying the slanders and narratives that political commentators and the media had perpetuated against them.
At first glance, this odd alignment between regime loyalists and some self-proclaimed opposition figures seems baffling. However, it’s a testament to the PMOI’s strength and enduring relevance. For over four decades, Iran’s intelligence apparatus has invested heavily in discrediting the NCRI and PMOI, portraying them as a fringe movement devoid of public support. Yet the regime’s massive expenditure on smear campaigns raises a critical question: If these groups truly lack support, why go to such lengths to vilify them?
The answer lies in the resilience and achievements of the Iranian Resistance. The PMOI’s intelligence capabilities, exemplified by recent nuclear revelations, demonstrate an extraordinary reach within one of the world’s most secretive regimes. These breakthroughs come at great personal risk to members and supporters who place unwavering trust in an organization that has been relentlessly demonized inside Iran. Despite this, they continue to fight, knowing the cost of failure is continued oppression.
#Iranian Regime’s Investments Speak Louder Than Its Rhetoric Against #MEKhttps://t.co/DwVpI7SyyC pic.twitter.com/VzXaF51Cjs
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2024
This determination has not gone unnoticed. American lawmakers who recently participated in NCRI-sponsored events spoke of the tireless efforts of Iranian Americans and their allies to bring attention to the plight of their homeland. These legislators, well aware of the consequences of their support for the NCRI, ultimately placed their trust in the authenticity of its mission. Their endorsement underscores a vital truth: the real political struggle is forged in the crucible of hard work and genuine sacrifice, not the fleeting trends of social media.
The NCRI’s campaign for democracy is not a passing phenomenon. With nearly 60 years of opposition to dictatorship, the PMOI’s legacy predates the clerical dictatorship itself. While many opposition movements have come and gone, fragmented by infighting or co-opted by external forces, the NCRI has remained a steadfast coalition for more than 45 years. It has endured precisely because it is built on the shared vision of a free and democratic Iran.
The current regime’s tactics, from online disinformation to overt repression, aim to project an image to the world that it faces no viable alternative and that its opposition is fragmented and embroiled in infighting. Yet, the sheer scale and sophistication of the regime’s efforts to undermine the PMOI and NCRI only underscore the real threat these groups pose to its grip on power.
Iran’s Cyber Army: A Force of Disinformation for a Cursed Causehttps://t.co/S3LusEN4HB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 26, 2023
True change is not achieved overnight. It is not the product of trending hashtags or viral posts but the result of a relentless, long-term effort. The battle against one of the most brutal dictatorships in the Middle East is a marathon, not a sprint. Only those with the endurance and determination to persevere will succeed. The ultimate judge of this struggle will not be fleeting public opinion but history itself.
For the people of Iran and their supporters around the world, the message is clear: Stay the course. While the challenges are immense, so too is the potential for triumph. The struggle for freedom in Iran is not just about toppling a regime; it is about building a future rooted in justice, democracy, and human dignity. In this endeavor, the Iranian Resistance has proven that it has the resolve to endure and the vision to lead.