A bipartisan coalition of over 150 U.S. lawmakers has expressed strong support for the Iranian resistance movement, calling for an end to Iran’s theocratic rule and advocating for a secular, democratic future. House Resolution 166, introduced by Reps. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), underscores Congress’s alignment with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its Ten-Point Plan for a free Iran.
Congressional Support for Iranian Resistance
During a recent congressional hearing, lawmakers denounced Iran’s government as a “pariah, murderous, terrorist regime.” Rep. McClintock emphasized that the Islamic Republic has inflicted “misery, injustice, and oppression” on its people, predicting that significant change is imminent.
“It’s not inconceivable to me that within the next few years, we will be celebrating the liberation of Iran,” McClintock stated. Echoing this sentiment, Rep. Lance Gooden reassured Iranian dissidents that “the American people stand with you” and look forward to a free Iran.
Rep. Randy Weber urged immediate action, highlighting the regime’s vulnerabilities due to internal and regional pressures. Rep. Keith Self warned that as the Iranian government weakens, it may resort to escalating threats, including potential nuclear advancements.
Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart reinforced these concerns, declaring that “a change in regime in Iran is a service to humanity, and we should not be shy about expressing that openly.”
Maryam Rajavi’s Address to Lawmakers
Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s president-elect, addressed Congress, describing Iran’s leadership as more fragile than ever. She pointed to the regime’s systematic repression, including over 1,000 executions in 2024 alone, as evidence of its desperation. Rajavi detailed NCRI’s plan for a transitional government leading to free elections and a secular republic.
Iran’s Role in Regional Instability
Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, arming and financing proxy groups that fuel regional aggression and global instability. Under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the regime has intensified its human rights abuses, further alienating itself from the international community.
House Resolution 166 explicitly states that “the source of terrorism and warmongering in the Middle East region is the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran.” It also calls for heightened protections for Iranian dissidents, particularly those in Albania’s Ashraf 3 camp, home to many former political prisoners.
A Strong Message from Congress
The resolution affirms U.S. support for the Iranian opposition and its vision for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Iran. By rallying bipartisan backing, Congress is sending a decisive message: the United States stands firmly behind Iran’s resistance movement and its struggle for democracy.
