January 26, 2025 – In a significant demonstration of bipartisan unity, members of the U.S. Congress gathered for a hearing on the future of Iran. The discussion centered on the ongoing struggle for democracy in Iran, the Iranian regime’s oppressive policies, and the role of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in shaping a free and democratic future.
A United Voice Against the Iranian Regime
Congressman Tom McClintock opened the hearing by introducing House Resolution 166, co-sponsored by Congressman Brad Sherman, with 150 bipartisan members standing in support. The resolution endorses the 10-point plan proposed by NCRI’s President-elect Maryam Rajavi and highlights the necessity of continued American backing for the Iranian people’s aspirations for democracy.
Brad Sherman reaffirmed his commitment to a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Iran, referencing his long-standing support for Iranian opposition groups. He emphasized the need for the U.S. government to actively support organizations working toward democracy in Iran and acknowledged the Iranian regime’s declining influence in the region. “We need a U.S. government that supports all of the groups that are working for a democratic Iran,” he stated.
Congressional hearing discussing the future of Iran – featuring members of congress, such as @RepMcClintock, @RepCohen, @BradSherman, @RepNancyMace, and many others.
🔴WATCH LIVE HERE AT 2 PM: https://t.co/M3oaqz1C6Y
— OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) February 26, 2025
Women at the Forefront of Resistance
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Co-Chair of the Iranian Women’s Congressional Caucus, praised the courage of Iranian women who have been at the forefront of protests. She condemned the regime’s brutal response to peaceful demonstrators and reaffirmed that change must come from within Iran. “It’s important to be part of this bipartisan group so that the people of Iran seeking freedom know they have advocates and friends who will stand up for them,” Lofgren stated.
Iran’s Global Threats and Nuclear Ambitions
Congressman Keith Self warned of the dangers posed by the Iranian regime, particularly its nuclear ambitions. Drawing on his expertise in nuclear policy, Self cautioned that as the regime prioritizes its survival, it may accelerate its nuclear weapons program, posing a grave threat to the region. “If Iran were to go nuclear, it would not only threaten nuclear blackmail or destruction for some nations, but many other Middle Eastern nations would also seek the same capability,” he warned.
Randy Weber, another Texas representative, echoed the urgency of the moment. “Now is the time,” he declared, emphasizing that the Iranian regime is weakening, losing credibility, and facing growing opposition both domestically and internationally. He called for continued resistance against the dictatorship and pledged ongoing congressional support for the Iranian opposition.
Terrorism, Assassinations, and Global Security
Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a Spanish politician and long-time supporter of the NCRI, brought personal experience to the discussion, having survived an assassination attempt in Madrid by a gunman allegedly linked to Iranian state-sponsored terrorism. “If the regime intended this vile act to silence me, it has utterly failed,” he stated defiantly. He highlighted the Iranian government’s evolving tactics, including collaboration with organized crime groups to target dissidents and foreign politicians, warning that the regime remains a persistent global threat.
Vidal-Quadras also criticized Europe’s past policies of engagement and appeasement, arguing that they have only emboldened the Iranian regime. “It is time to end the West’s four-decade-long policy of appeasement, which has only served to empower the regime’s authoritarian and destabilizing agenda,” he asserted.
The Path Forward: A Democratic and Stable Iran
The hearing underscored a common theme: the Iranian regime is losing its grip, and now is the time for the international community to support democratic forces working to bring about change. The NCRI’s 10-point plan, which advocates for democracy, gender equality, secular governance, and the abolition of nuclear weapons, was repeatedly praised as a viable and structured alternative to the current theocracy.
Tom McClintock emphasized that the resolution introduced in Congress is a significant step toward officially recognizing and supporting the Iranian resistance. “We stand behind the people of Iran and their vital work, and we pledge to support that work until Iran has been restored to its rightful place among the free, prosperous, and peaceful nations of the world.”
With growing momentum in Congress and a rising chorus of international voices calling for regime change in Tehran, the message from this hearing was clear: the time for action is now, and the people of Iran are not alone in their fight for freedom.
