In a bold display of defiance on July 25, PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan sent a powerful, dual message to the clerical regime and the world. Commemorating the 37th anniversary of Operation Eternal Light, these brave activists not only honored a pivotal moment in the history of Iranian resistance but also unequivocally rejected all forms of dictatorship, whether clerical or monarchist.
Through a series of placards, they made it clear that the Iranian people’s quest for freedom will not be diverted by false alternatives, declaring, “From Zahedan to Tehran, down with the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs.”
This action highlights a movement that is both deeply rooted in a history of struggle and possesses a clear-eyed vision for a democratic future, free from the tyranny of the past and present.
July 25 marks the anniversary of Operation Eternal Light, a great epic for the nation pic.twitter.com/B5MARLBswx
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 26, 2025
Honoring a legacy to fuel today’s struggle
The Resistance Units’ commemoration was not merely a historical observance. By marking Operation Eternal Light—the National Liberation Army’s (NLA) major 1988 offensive that advanced to the gates of Kermanshah and shook the foundations of the regime—they are drawing a direct line from the past to the present. This anniversary serves as a potent reminder of the Resistance’s long-standing capacity and determination to challenge the ruling theocracy.
For today’s activists, this legacy is not a distant memory but a source of fuel. They see themselves as the torchbearers of that struggle, embodying the same spirit of sacrifice and resolve. As one of their placards proclaimed, “Today, the spirit of Operation Eternal Light lives in the Resistance Units across Iran.” This demonstrates an unbroken chain of organized resistance, connecting the NLA’s historic sacrifices to the courage of Iran’s youth fighting for freedom on the streets today.
Today, the spirit of Operation Eternal Light lives in the Resistance Units across Iran pic.twitter.com/bMM8xraPh4
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 26, 2025
Exposing false alternatives and unifying the people
Crucially, the activities in Zahedan went beyond commemoration. The Resistance Units confronted a concerted effort to derail the popular uprising by promoting remnants of the deposed Shah’s dictatorship. Their placards carried the popular slogan, “No to Shah, no to mullahs,” which has become a unifying cry across Iran.
The activists identified this push for a monarchist restoration as a malicious ploy that “only benefits Khamenei and IRGC” by sowing division within the people’s ranks. This reveals the political maturity of the Resistance, which is not only confronting the mullahs’ regime but also actively guarding the movement against deceptive alternatives that seek to replace one form of oppression with another. Their message is unequivocal: “Dictators are dictators, whether they wear a turban or a crown.”
The son of the Shah serves the regime's supreme leader through sowing division within the ranks of the people pic.twitter.com/FjX6VKSU5S
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 26, 2025
The people’s choice: A democratic republic via the third option
The actions in Zahedan are not merely about rejection; they are about a clear, affirmative vision for the future: a “democratic republic.” This demand is backed by a concrete strategy championed by the Iranian Resistance and its president-elect, Maryam Rajavi. This path, known as the Third Option, was proudly displayed on their placards.
The Third Option resolutely rejects both the failed policy of appeasement toward the mullahs and any foreign military intervention. Instead, it places the power for change squarely in the hands of the Iranian people and their organized Resistance. As one placard declared, the solution is: “No to war, no to appeasement, yes to regime change by the Iranian people and organized Resistance.” The courageous display in Zahedan is living proof that the people of Iran, led by their determined Resistance Units, possess the will, the vision, and the organization to achieve a free and democratic Iran on their own terms.