Speaking at the Italian Parliament conference on Iran, Senator Marco Scurria urged the international community to focus on the Iranian people rather than negotiations with the ruling regime.
At the international conference “Iran: Beyond War—Human Rights and the Power of the People as the Solution,” held in the Italian Parliament on July 16, Italian Senator Marco Scurria delivered a forceful appeal for greater international support for the Iranian people while warning against placing confidence in negotiations with the Iranian regime.
Addressing an audience that included Maryam Rajavi, lawmakers, international dignitaries, and members of the Iranian diaspora, Scurria argued that the discussion surrounding Iran should move beyond geopolitics and instead focus on the aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom and democracy.
“The Iranian People Must Be at the Center”
Opening his remarks, Scurria thanked Deputy Speaker Fabio Rampelli for hosting the conference and praised Italian MP Naike Gruppioni for her continued efforts to keep the issue of Iran on the agenda of the Italian Parliament.
He noted that much of the world’s attention has recently focused on regional tensions, the Strait of Hormuz, and the economic consequences of instability in the Middle East. However, he argued that one essential issue receives far too little attention.
“Everyone is talking about Iran these days—the Strait of Hormuz, regional tensions, and the impact on our economies. But far too little is being said about the Iranian people. They are the ones we should be talking about, because the real challenge today is helping them secure a free and democratic future.”
According to Scurria, the international community should place the rights and aspirations of Iran’s citizens at the center of its policy toward the country.
Skepticism Toward Negotiations with the Regime
The senator expressed deep reservations about ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the Iranian regime.
While emphasizing that he supports peace, Scurria said he does not believe lasting peace can be achieved by trusting a government that, in his view, has repeatedly used negotiations to buy time while advancing its own objectives.
“I am not opposed to peace. But I do not trust the Iranian regime. For years it has deceived the international community over its nuclear program, using negotiations primarily to gain time while continuing to pursue its goals.”
He further argued that the authorities have shown no willingness to address human rights violations and criticized what he described as the regime’s increasingly aggressive posture toward democratic countries.
Scurria also accused Tehran of serving as a major source of international terrorism, saying its policies continue to undermine regional and global security.
A Message to the Iranian People
Turning to members of the Iranian community present at the conference, many of whom had been forced to leave their homeland, Scurria delivered an emotional message intended for those still inside Iran.
He encouraged participants to maintain contact with relatives and friends and to remind them that hope remains stronger than repression.
“Tell them not to lose hope. No prison can stop the wind of freedom. No special court can silence the cause of human rights. And no climate of fear can permanently subdue millions of people who seek liberty.”
He said that the struggle for freedom is one worth pursuing because it offers the possibility of a democratic future for the Iranian people.
Courage in the Face of Repression
Scurria praised the courage displayed by Iranian women, young people, and other protesters who have repeatedly challenged the authorities despite severe repression.
He argued that these acts of resistance had already exposed the regime’s vulnerabilities long before recent international developments. Drawing a historical comparison with the fall of the Berlin Wall, he suggested that authoritarian systems can appear permanent until they suddenly collapse under the weight of popular demands for freedom.
Tribute to Maryam Rajavi and the Iranian Resistance
Recalling his first meeting with Maryam Rajavi years earlier while serving as a Member of the European Parliament, Scurria said his support for the Iranian democratic opposition has continued ever since.
He noted that this commitment extends beyond his own political party and is shared by lawmakers from across Italy’s political spectrum.
Referring to Italy’s own history and the legacy of figures such as Giuseppe Mazzini, Scurria said the country’s democratic traditions naturally align with the aspirations of people seeking freedom elsewhere.
“True patriots are those who recognize the homeland of others and help build freedom and democracy for other nations.”
He concluded by thanking Rajavi and the Iranian Resistance for demonstrating the value of courage despite decades of persecution, imprisonment, and personal sacrifice.
“You have taught us the meaning of courage. Despite imprisonment, executions, and immense personal loss, you have refused to bow your heads. Your determination to keep alive the call for freedom gives hope that one day liberty will embrace the Iranian people.”
A Call to Keep Hope Alive
Closing his address, Scurria encouraged Iranians inside and outside the country to continue believing in the possibility of democratic change.
His speech echoed one of the conference’s central themes: that the future of Iran ultimately depends on the determination of its people, supported by an international community willing to place human rights and democratic principles above accommodation with the ruling regime.
