In an online conference hosted by the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) on Friday, February 11, 2022, some 50 bi-partisan members of the United States House of Representatives declared their support for the struggle of the Iranian people and their organized Resistance for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic of Iran.
Democrat and Republican members of Congress on the U.S. administration to adopt a firm policy toward the regime in Iran.
While addressing the event, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian coalition opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said, “The correct and feasible policy is to recognize the right of the Iranian people and Resistance to overthrow the Iranian regime.” The Representatives also emphasized the imperative of supporting the Iranian people’s cause for freedom and democracy on the 43rd anniversary of the 1979 anti-monarchical revolution in Iran.
“This conference is being in a situation where we are facing extraordinary circumstances in Iran, in policies, and in Iran-related developments in the Middle East and around the world,” NCRI President-elect said.
“Forty-three years ago, today, the Shah dictatorship was overthrown by the Iranian people’s nationwide uprising. The Iranian people revolted against a violent tyranny,” Mrs. Rajavi added. “They sought freedom and democracy. But since the Shah had practically destroyed all democratic movements, he paved the way for a reactionary mullah to take power.”
“The clerics of Iran ‘stole the leadership of the revolution’ and eliminated dissent in the days following the 1979 revolution,” said Rep. Randy Weber. “The Iranian people retain their desire for freedom and democracy.”
Mrs. Rajavi also mentioned the horrible performance of the religious dictatorship in Iran during the past four decades, particularly in recent years.
“The clerical regime is not only conducting domestic suppression. It fired missiles that brought down a Ukrainian passenger plane with its innocent passengers. It targets neighboring countries with missiles and drones. It has expanded its nuclear weapons program. And it is constantly provoking war and terrorism in the region,” she said., adding, “What is behind this aggressive behavior? For years, the regime’s leaders have said that they need a nuclear weapon to prevent the regime’s overthrow.”
“For too long, the Iranian people have been deprived of their fundamental freedoms, for which reason they rejected dictatorship in 1979 and oppose religious tyranny today,” the California Democrat Rep. Brad Sherman said.
“And that’s why I became the chief sponsor of House Resolution 118, expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic of Iran and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the current Iranian regime.”
The NCRI President-elect highlighted three realities regarding the regime in Iran:
“First, the Iranian people hate and are angry toward the regime. Over the past four years, there have been eight major nationwide uprisings, including the November 2019 protests. In 2021, there were three major protest movements as well as nationwide protests by teachers and thousands of local acts of protest in all the country’s provinces. These protests have continued into this year.
“Second, the regime that has lost its entire base and only relies on suppression to survive. Nothing says the regime is being overthrown more than the fact that Khamenei was forced to install as president Ebrahim Raisi, the henchman responsible for the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. He did this in a fearful attempt to prevent imminent protests and uprisings.
“The third aspect of realities in Iran is the presence of organized resistance. This resistance movement has paid the price for freedom by offering 120,000 martyrs so far. It can organize protests and uprisings in Iran, leading them toward the regime’s overthrow. The Resistance Units, which are part of the [Mojahedin-e Khalq] MEK’s network in Iranian cities, carry out widespread anti-suppression activities daily.”
In this context, Rep Randy Weber called for an international investigation into the conduct of the regime’s resident Ebrahim Raisi, for his direct role in the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. “I would like to extend my gratitude to honorable members of the U.S. Congress who are standing with the people of Iran. We hope that Congress shapes U.S. policy in a way that mistakes committed during the Shah’s regime are avoided and that U.S. policy distances itself from approaches that appease the mullahs,” said Mrs. Rajavi.
“The correct policy is within reach. This is a policy that recognizes the right of the Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance to overthrow the religious fascism ruling Iran,” the NCRI President-elect concluded.
