Dr. Franz-Josef Jung, the former German Minister of Defense, stood as one of the esteemed guests and speakers during a conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on November 22, where Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance in Iran, was invited to speak on the policy on Iran. In his address, Mr. Jung illuminated Tehran’s extensive disinformation campaign against the NCRI and raised concerns about why European institutions and media have succumbed to the Iranian regime’s demonization efforts.
The translated version of Dr. Franz-Josef Jung’s speech follows:
Dear Mrs. Rajavi, respected members of the European Parliament, ladies and gentlemen,
The terrorist attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens on October 7, as well as on the children of Israel, did not happen overnight. This attack was a threat to global peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond. We advocate for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, but to achieve this, we must eliminate obstacles in this regard, especially those who oppose peaceful solutions. The Iranian regime does everything it can to undermine a peaceful resolution.
They support Hamas, they support Hezbollah, they support the Houthis. Terrorist organizations worldwide support them to prevent peace and stability in Europe and the world. The Iranian regime, like many dictators, deflects external crises to divert attention from its internal political problems. The policy of exporting terrorism and fundamentalism by the Iranian regime is a sign of weakness, not strength. Another sign of the regime’s weakness is its fear of opponents inside and outside Iran. Over the decades, the Iranian regime has executed tens of thousands of opposition figures.
Furthermore, the Iranian regime has launched an extensive misinformation campaign against the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Ladies and gentlemen, we must firmly stand against this extensive misinformation campaign. Recent revelations about a network of so-called experts associated with the Iranian regime highlight the demonization of Iran’s resistance. One of the strangest claims by these individuals on behalf of the Iranian regime is that the National Council of Resistance of Iran has no support among the Iranian people. If this is true, I ask why supporters of the National Council of Resistance have been arrested, and some of them executed? Why demonize the National Council of Resistance? The truth is that the National Council of Resistance receives support from the Iranian people, is well-organized, and, with Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point plan, has a democratic platform for Iran’s future.
Therefore, it is concerning that European institutions and media have fallen into the trap of the Iranian regime’s demonization campaign. It is time for the European Union and its member countries to change their policy towards Iran. They must reject false information and adopt a resolute policy towards Iran, including imposing sanctions. This is precisely why the Iranian resistance must receive extensive support to facilitate regime change toward freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Iran. Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan provides an excellent basis for this. Therefore, a democratic Iran is a crucial precondition for peace, security, and stability in the region and the world. Long live the resistance of Iran, long live the National Council of Resistance for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in Iran.
