In a recent op-ed, Bruce McColm, the President of the Institute for Democratic Strategies and the former Executive Director of the Freedom House stressed the need to support the Iranian Resistance in its struggle against the Iranian regime.
In his article, which focused on the significance of the Free Iran 2023 World Summit, McColm highlighted the activities of the Iranian Resistance inside Iran and described the MEK Resistance Units as such: “These resolute units, unyielding in their commitment, spearhead uprisings and anti-regime protests, fearlessly amplifying the voice of the Iranian people.”
The Resistance Units took part in the Free Iran summit with 10,000 video messages, which were broadcast at the event. “The NCRI rally witnessed the collective roar of 10,000 campaigns by Resistance Units, resolutely affirming their unwavering dedication to their cause of a democratic Iran,” Mr. McColm wrote.
The bravery of the Resistance Units and the importance of their efforts was one of the main themes of the Free Iran summit. In this regard, General James Jones, National Security advisor to US President Obama and the 14th Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, said at the Free Iran Summit, “In the recent wave of protests that erupted all over Iran last September, we witnessed the crescendo of a symphony of resistance that has played out over four decades. It echoed the unwavering determination of millions of Iranians for change. But let’s be clear. The regime’s brutal crackdown failed and continues to fail to extinguish the flames of resistance. The courageous NCRI-affiliated Resistance Units within Iran continue to keep the fires for a better and freer nation burning brightly by risking their lives and safety against overwhelming odds.”
This short remark contains three important points:
- The regime has failed to extinguish the flames of resistance
- The bravery of the Resistance Units is backed by four decades of resistance
- The activities of the Resistance Units are the key achieving freedom in Iran
The leaders of the decaying mullahs’ regime might not acknowledge this reality. But any impartial and honest observer can attest to the capacity and resilience of the Iranian Resistance. In the past four decades, the regime has time and again claimed that the MEK and the NCRI have been annihilated, that “90 percent” of the organization has been destroyed, that the “dossier of the MEK” has been closed, etc. But now, even the regime’s own officials are forced to admit that making such claims is useless.
During a recent interview with a state-run TV channel following the Free Iran summit, Abbas Namin, one of the regime’s security analysts, said, “[The MEK] cannot be destroyed. It is a movement that changes its methods… We haven’t studied them enough and we were caught unawares… This is the strongest organization against [the regime].”
In his speech, General Jones also highlighted how the efforts of the Resistance Units tie in with the nationwide protests of the Iranian people and their desire to live in a free and democratic country, devoid of any form of tyranny.
Said General Jones, “These protests serve as a vivid testament to the aspirations of the Iranian people yearning for a society founded on democratic principles and inclusive governance. It is not merely a revolt against the current oppressive regime ruling Iran, it’s a resolute struggle against all forms of dictatorship. Their unified chant on the street echoes with determination: no to the oppressor, no to any form of government that denies freedom to its people.”
Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša also referred to the four-decade struggle of the Iranian Resistance against the regime’s barbarity, including the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. In his speech at the Free Iran summit, Janša said, “[It is] important to notice the resilience and bravery of the organized opposition Resistance Units in Iran, who risk their lives to confront the brutal force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They deserve our support and admiration for their unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom.”
Former Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird also highlighted the unbreaking spirit of the Iranian Resistance and said, “The revolution that’s taking place across Iran right now is strong and it’s very well organized. It’s happening because of the courage and the bravery of literally the thousands of the resistance units in every corner and every town throughout Iran.”
And former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said, “Resistance Units in Iran are the wellspring of hope for the Iranian people. They are an engine for change from within during uprisings and continued protests. And every day they gain strength while the regime withers.”
Today, the Resistance Units are the living proof that the Iranian people have everything they need to regain their freedom from the brutal dictatorship of the mullahs.