Iranian opposition leader outlines a roadmap for democratic transition, rejecting appeasement and foreign military intervention
In a high-level briefing at the U.S. Congress on March 26, 2026, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, presented what she described as a viable and necessary roadmap for Iran’s democratic transition. Addressing lawmakers and policy stakeholders, she emphasized that the Iranian Resistance’s central message—and that of its newly announced provisional government—is rooted in “peace and freedom.”
Rajavi framed her remarks against the backdrop of two major developments: the January 2026 uprising inside Iran and the ongoing regional war involving the Iranian regime. According to her, these events have not only reshaped Iran’s internal dynamics but have also had far-reaching consequences for Middle Eastern geopolitics and global stability.
At the core of her speech was a critique of longstanding Western assumptions about Iran. Rajavi argued that decades of appeasement policies have failed, warning that such approaches ultimately embolden the regime and increase the likelihood of conflict. She reiterated that the ruling establishment—under the leadership of Ali Khamenei—remains fundamentally committed to its strategic pillars: nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile development, and the expansion of proxy forces across the region.
She further dismissed the notion that the regime might collapse internally without organized resistance or evolve through gradual reform. “This regime will not change through virtual activism or external broadcasting,” she asserted, emphasizing instead that meaningful change requires sustained, structured opposition.
Rajavi pointed to the January uprising as evidence of widespread public rejection of the regime, alleging that thousands of unarmed protesters were killed. In her account, the government’s willingness to use extreme violence underscores the legitimacy of resistance. She highlighted the role of organized opposition groups, particularly the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, which she credited with maintaining decades of resistance and fostering a culture of sacrifice for freedom.
According to Rajavi, Resistance Units affiliated with this movement have escalated their operations, including a reported attack on a key leadership center linked to Khamenei in February. She presented these actions as part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling the regime through domestic efforts rather than foreign intervention.
Central to her proposal is the establishment of a democratic alternative led by the NCRI. Rejecting both the former monarchy and the current theocratic system, Rajavi described this alternative as forward-looking and grounded in popular sovereignty. She stressed that returning to past forms of governance or maintaining the status quo would only perpetuate repression, economic hardship, and regional instability.
The NCRI’s political framework is anchored in its Ten-Point Plan, which calls for a secular republic, gender equality, and the separation of religion and state. Rajavi noted that this vision has gained traction internationally, citing support within the U.S. House of Representatives through a recent bipartisan resolution endorsing these principles.
Despite this, she made clear that the Iranian Resistance is not seeking military or financial intervention from foreign governments. Instead, she outlined three specific requests directed at the United States: formal recognition of the NCRI’s provisional government as a legitimate transitional authority, technical assistance to ensure unrestricted internet access for the Iranian population, and the expulsion of agents affiliated with the Iranian regime from U.S. territory.
Drawing a parallel to American history, Rajavi invoked the spirit of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, arguing that just as Americans once overthrew tyranny, the Iranian people are capable of achieving their own liberation.
Her message to Congress was unambiguous: the path to resolving the Iranian crisis lies not in external intervention or diplomatic concessions, but in empowering the Iranian people and recognizing their organized resistance as the driver of democratic change.
