Activists spread messages rejecting both monarchical and clerical dictatorship while calling for democratic change and the overthrow of Iran’s ruling theocracy.
As Iran approaches the anniversary of June 20, 1981—a date regarded by the Iranian Resistance as a defining milestone in the struggle against dictatorship—Resistance Units in Zahedan carried out a series of protest activities across the city, distributing leaflets and displaying banners carrying messages from the leadership of the Iranian Resistance.
The campaign took place in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, an area that has repeatedly witnessed anti-regime protests and harsh crackdowns by authorities. According to reports from Resistance activists, the initiative aimed to reaffirm support for democratic change, reject both forms of dictatorship that have ruled Iran, and highlight what they describe as the regime’s reliance on repression, regional adventurism, and nuclear ambitions to preserve its grip on power.
Rejecting Both Monarchy and Theocracy
A central theme of the campaign was the rejection of both the former monarchy and the current clerical establishment.
Banners and leaflets carried slogans emphasizing the Iranian Resistance’s long-standing position that neither a return to monarchical rule nor the continuation of the current theocratic system represents a solution for Iran’s future.
Among the messages displayed were calls for a democratic republic and slogans declaring that dictatorship remains dictatorship regardless of whether it is represented by a crown or a turban.
The campaign echoed a recurring theme within the Resistance movement: that the Iranian people have already experienced both forms of authoritarian rule and seek a democratic alternative based on popular sovereignty and political freedoms.
June 20 Presented as a Symbol of Resistance
The activities were also intended to commemorate June 20, which Resistance supporters regard as a historic turning point in the struggle against religious dictatorship.
Leaflets distributed in Zahedan described the date as a symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and commitment to freedom. The materials linked the sacrifices of political prisoners, executed activists, and fallen resistance members over the past four decades to the ongoing struggle for democratic change.
According to the messages circulated by activists, the anniversary represents a continuing line of resistance stretching from the events of June 20 to successive nationwide protests and uprisings that have challenged the ruling establishment.
Criticism of the Regime’s Survival Strategy
Another major focus of the campaign was criticism of what activists described as the regime’s strategy for survival.
Resistance Units argued that Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, military expansion, and intervention in regional affairs forms part of a broader effort to preserve the ruling system rather than address the needs of the Iranian people.
The campaign’s materials asserted that war-making policies and regional interference have come at the expense of economic development, civil liberties, and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Emphasis on Organized Resistance
The activists also stressed the role of organized resistance in achieving political change.
Several of the campaign’s messages emphasized that the future of Iran depends on the determination of its people and their organized resistance rather than foreign intervention or external military action.
Leaflets distributed throughout the city described the Iranian people as the primary force capable of bringing about democratic transformation and ending clerical rule.
The materials further highlighted the concept of a democratic republic as the desired political alternative and portrayed organized resistance as a guarantor of peace, freedom, and national independence.
Growing Activity Ahead of a Symbolic Anniversary
The Zahedan campaign comes as Resistance Units across Iran have increased their activities in the lead-up to the June 20 anniversary. Similar actions have been reported in various cities, including the display of banners, distribution of leaflets, and public expressions of opposition to the ruling establishment.
Despite intensified security measures and ongoing repression, activists continue to use such campaigns to communicate messages of political resistance, commemorate key historical milestones, and advocate for democratic change.
For Resistance supporters, the activities in Zahedan were intended not only as a remembrance of past sacrifices but also as a declaration that the struggle for freedom and democratic governance in Iran continues.
