In the heart of Sistan and Baluchestan province, a region bearing the brunt of the Iranian regime’s brutal repression, a clear message of defiance is ringing out. On August 8, PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan took to the streets, displaying banners and handwritten placards that not only condemned the clerical dictatorship but also articulated a clear vision for a free and democratic Iran. These acts, carried out amidst an escalating wave of executions, demonstrate that far from being intimidated, the organized Resistance is gaining strength and clarifying its path forward for the Iranian people and the world.
“Today, the crisis of overthrow has engulfed the entirety of the regime” pic.twitter.com/YBAN6VYgB3
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 9, 2025
The ‘third option’ in action: change from within
The slogans boldly displayed in Zahedan are a powerful reaffirmation of the “Third Option,” a cornerstone policy of the Iranian Resistance. This approach rejects both the failed policy of appeasement toward the mullahs and calls for foreign military intervention. Instead, it places the power for change squarely in the hands of the Iranian people and their organized resistance movement.
Banners declaring, “The solution is regime change by the people of Iran and their Resistance movement,” leave no room for ambiguity. This is not a cry for external help but a declaration of internal capability. The Resistance Units’ assessment that “Today, the crisis of overthrow has engulfed the entirety of the regime” reflects a deep confidence that the corrupt and tyrannical system is fragile and that the people possess the will and the organization to bring about its collapse.
"Tell the shah's son that he can't steal martyrs" pic.twitter.com/jY7HVJ0uRj
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 9, 2025
A clear break with all forms of dictatorship
Crucially, the activities in Zahedan served to draw a clear line in the sand, rejecting any attempt to replace one form of tyranny with another. For the international community, this is a vital distinction. The Iranian people’s struggle is not for a nostalgic return to a monarchist past but for a genuinely democratic future.
Slogans such as “Neither mullah nor shah; freedom and a democratic republic” and “Death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the leader,” echo a sentiment that is widespread throughout Iran. The resistance is also actively countering attempts by remnants of the former monarchy to co-opt the current movement, with one placard stating, “Tell the shah’s son that he can’t steal martyrs.” This shows a movement that is as vigilant against the ghosts of past dictatorships as it is against the current one.
"Neither mullah nor shah; freedom and a democratic republic." pic.twitter.com/bx29E2YvgN
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 9, 2025
The unbroken chain of justice from 1988 to today
The Resistance draws its strength and legitimacy from a long and unbroken history of struggle against the regime. The banners in Zahedan explicitly connected the current fight to the 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners, the vast majority of whom were PMOI members. As Iran marks the 37th anniversary of this crime against humanity, the slogans serve as a reminder of the regime’s foundational brutality.
One banner read, “During the massacre of PMOI members in 1988, it became clear that Khomeini fears the deep roots and strong will of this movement.” This historical context is not a relic of the past; it is a living part of the current struggle. The resistance affirms that “The voice of the martyrs of the 1988 massacre is echoing through the campaigns of political prisoners who are calling for resistance and regime change,” demonstrating that the same spirit of resilience that the regime failed to extinguish decades ago is now fueling the movement for its overthrow.
"Khamenei and his cohorts are continuing their great crimes by suppressing justice seekers and the families of martyrs" pic.twitter.com/xFtLaesYf7
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 9, 2025
The courageous actions of the Resistance Units in Zahedan are more than just protests; they are a declaration of a viable, democratic alternative. They showcase a movement with a clear-eyed view of history, an unwavering commitment to popular sovereignty, and an organized plan for the future. As expressed in the messages from NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi that inspired these activities, the ultimate goal is both simple and profound: “A free Iran without executions and without compulsory rule.”