Iranian state media have voiced heightened alarm over the increasing international recognition of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its President-elect, Maryam Rajavi. Recent events, including a significant conference at the European Parliament attended by over 30 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and 50 staff members, have intensified Tehran’s concerns about the Iranian Resistance gaining prominence as a democratic alternative to the clerical regime.
In a report titled “European red carpet for the leader of the hypocrite terrorists,” Mizan Online, affiliated with the regime’s judiciary, criticized the European Parliament’s engagement with Mrs. Rajavi. The outlet accused the Parliament of hosting “anti-Iranian” activities, claiming, “The European Parliament, with its long history of hostility toward Iran, recently welcomed Maryam Rajavi at its headquarters in Brussels, showcasing its alignment with terrorist groups.”
The mouthpiece of a system that holds a world record in human rights violations labeled the NCRI and its largest member group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), as “Monafeqin”—an Arabic term meaning “hypocrites” that the regime uses as a pejorative to discredit the PMOI, which has been at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and democracy in Iran.
Another regime-linked outlet, Bultan News, described the European Parliament’s meeting with Mrs. Rajavi as an alarming development. “The European Parliament has recently been the scene of political movements centered around Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Monafeqin organization. These meetings aim to intensify pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, including efforts to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization,” it wrote, acknowledging the growing traction of the NCRI’s message in Europe and Tehran’s fear of the terrorist designation of the IRGC in the EU.
“Placing the IRGC on the terrorist list is a key demand of certain European politicians,” wrote Bultan News, warning of “unpredictable consequences” should such a measure proceed.
At the November 20 conference, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi outlined a comprehensive plan for democratic change in Iran and detailed the Resistance’s pivotal role in challenging the regime. Addressing the MEPs and numerous staff members, Mrs. Rajavi declared, “The warmongering and terrorism of this regime can be ended. Democratic change and overthrow are both achievable and within reach, driven by the Iranian people and their Resistance.”
She underscored the NCRI’s readiness to lead a peaceful transition after the regime’s overthrow. “Our goal is not to seize power but to restore it to its rightful owners—the people of Iran and their vote. The NCRI represents a coalition of diverse political voices united in their vision for freedom and equality,” she emphasized.
Mrs. Rajavi also called for international action against Tehran’s malign activities. “The long-overdue activation of the snapback mechanism and the six UN Security Council resolutions is the first urgent and necessary step,” she urged. “The ultimate solution for ending this evil dictatorship is regime change at the hands of the Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance.”
#Iran News: #IRGC Mouthpiece Warns Against @Maryam_Rajavi’s Influence on Iran’s Women-led Revolutionhttps://t.co/pveO8sjYdB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 30, 2024
Mrs. Rajavi highlighted the NCRI’s commitment to democratic values, including the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the abolition of the death penalty. “The NCRI has presented a democratic roadmap endorsed by world leaders and supported by Iranians both inside and outside the country,” she noted.
She also referenced the IRGC’s central role in regional instability, calling for firm action: “Supreme Leader Khamenei has said if the regime doesn’t engage in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza, it would be forced to defend itself in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. The regime’s primary war is against its own people.”
The Iranian regime’s intensified rhetoric underscores its fear of the NCRI’s growing credibility as a viable alternative to its rule. The widespread participation in the European Parliament conference, coupled with Mrs. Rajavi’s clear vision for a democratic Iran, demonstrates the Resistance’s increasing influence on the global stage. Tehran’s attempts to discredit the NCRI reflect its desperation to prevent this message from gaining further traction worldwide.
