Among the many themes that were discussed in the four-day Free Iran 2023 world summit was the alternative to the brutal regime ruling Iran. There is no doubt that this regime has to go. The people of Iran are chanting for change in the streets of cities all over the country. The people of neighboring countries, who have suffered from the regime’s export of terrorism and fundamentalism for decades, are reiterating the imperative to support the people of Iran in their quest to bring democracy and peace in their country. And today, the people of Europe are directly feeling the regime’s destructive policies through its export of drones to Russia, terrorist attempts on European soil, and indiscriminate hostage-taking of foreign nationals.
However, the bigger challenge that stands is what will replace the religious fascism ruled by the mullahs? The regime has gone to great lengths to trick the world into believing that there is no alternative.
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who spoke at the Free Iran conference on July 1, said, “One of the biggest lies the ruling regime has sold to the world is that there’s no alternative to the status quo of tyranny and repression in Iran.”
On a panel discussion on June 30, the first day of the Free Iran world summit, Senator Joseph Lieberman said, “The allegation which comes mostly from the government in Tehran, [is] that there is no alternative to the government. So, the US, the West, and everyone else has to compromise with them.
“But I want to say that beyond the question of if there is an alternative out there, there is the question that the regime raises, which is: Do we need an alternative? The fact is that, as they would allege and try to get people to believe there, this regime is forever.”
But today, more than ever, it is clear that the people of Iran have a clear vision and an alternative to the regime.
“We can never acknowledge that there is no alternative to a totalitarian government, certainly not in Iran, and we know there is an alternative. It is the people of Iran. It is a democratic republic, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Senator Lieberman said. “And Iran is closer to that today than ever before because the regime is weaker than it’s ever been before.”
These thoughts are reflected in the slogans that people have been chanting in protests for the past months, especially the slogans “Death to the tyrant, be it the Shah or the mullahs,” “No to the monarchy, no to the mullahs, yes to democracy and equality!” and “Monarchy, mullahs, 100 years of crime!”
Obviously, a return to the Shah dictatorship is out of question. But how will this democratic republic take shape? How can Iran avoid the fate of other countries that suffered from upheaval in the aftermath of regime change?
Senator Robert Torricelli, who also spoke at the panel discussion, described the conditions that a movement needs to ensure that its nation is steered in the right direction before, during, and after regime change. Said Senator Torricelli: “What does a revolutionary movement require? Dogged determination, incredible focus, and the willingness to pay any price to bring change. It requires people who are completely committed to a cause. I just defined the MEK.
“It requires resources because it takes time and it takes money. It takes depth. It takes people who are willing to sacrifice their own resources. I just defined the MEK.
“It takes a leadership that will pay any price and has a vision for the future, not only what they want to destroy but what they want to create. I just defined Mrs. Rajavi and the Ten-point plan.
“And it takes an international coalition. With people on the streets, the revolutionary cells that are now throughout Iran, helping to lead and direct this movement. That’s the MEK.”
The values of the Iranian Resistance and its vision for the future of Iran is clearly outlined in Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, which calls for a secular, democratic republic that provides equal opportunities to all its citizens regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or religion. It is aligned with the demands of the Iranian people and has been the official platform of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) for many years.
The Ten-Point Plan has become a rallying point for the supporters of the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom, including 3,600 parliamentarians from 40 countries and 117 former world leaders.
Nearly all speakers at the four-day Free Iran event expressed their support for Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan. Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, said, “The Ten-Point Plan of your president is a document that is not just a political document. It is a summary of the universal values of mankind. I’m a lawyer by profession and I’ve studied it carefully. I’ve never seen a better summary by politicians. Let’s rally around that declaration. It is not about choosing sides for one or another organization. It’s about having a basis for joint action. This is a document that can be signed by all democratic people in the world.”
And in his speech on July 1, Senator Lieberman pointed out to another important characteristic of the Iranian Resistance’s platform. “[The Ten-Point Plan] a great plan, a plan for freedom, equality, and opportunity for the people of Iran. It’s one that every civilized democratic nation in the world should enthusiastically support. But the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi have something else. They have a transition plan. It is out there for everybody to see, and it is a selfless plan that shows that this organization is not about seizing power. It is about making sure that the people of Iran seize power when this regime falls,” he said.
And how do we know that this resistance movement will stay true to its goals and values? Indeed, the Iranian Resistance has proven throughout the decades that it will not bend in face of adversity, it will not compromise on the rights of its people, it will not give up its independence, and it is willing to make great sacrifices to keep the flame of resistance alit.
This determination was best expressed by Mrs. Rajavi, who in her speech at the Free Iran World Summit on July 1 said, “We will not permit any compromise on the autonomy of the Resistance and Iran’s sovereignty for all the world’s wealth. We refuse to abandon our core beliefs, values, battles, and ideals to pursue power. We shall not endure the slightest hint of tyranny, exploitation, or authoritarian intent, be it from the dictatorships of the Shah or the mullahs. Furthermore, we do not depend on any foreign power to liberate Iran.”