On Friday, August 22, 2025, the streets of Zahedan once again became a focal point for the unyielding spirit of the Iranian people. Members of the PMOI Resistance Units courageously organized acts protests, disseminating posters and slogans that delivered a powerful and unequivocal message.
These activities underscored that the ongoing struggle in Iran is not merely against the current religious fascism but is a comprehensive rejection of all forms of tyranny, including the deposed monarchist dictatorship. The voice from Zahedan is the voice of a nation determined to forge its own future, free from the oppressors of the past and present.
"Glory to the martyrs in 60 years of unceasing struggle against the Shah and the mullahs, with boundless sacrifice" pic.twitter.com/pALOAxpWEm
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 23, 2025
A categorical rejection of two dictatorships
The central theme resonating from the Resistance Units’ campaign was the people’s absolute refusal to choose between two sides of the same coin of tyranny. Slogans displayed prominently throughout the city drew a clear parallel between the crimes of the Shah and the mullahs. Messages such as, “Down with the oppressor, be it the Shah or Supreme Leader,” and “We want neither Shah nor mullah—curse them both,” left no room for ambiguity. By declaring, “Monarchy and theocracy—one hundred years of crime,” the activists articulated a deep-seated historical awareness that both regimes have been catastrophic for Iran. This demonstrates that the popular movement for change is not seeking to replace one dictator with another but is fighting for a genuine democratic republic.
"Neither mullah nor Shah; yes to freedom and a democratic republic" pic.twitter.com/TTN4dyRRx5
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 23, 2025
Countering the fantasy of a monarchist return
The Resistance Units directly confronted recent efforts by remnants of the former monarchical dictatorship to rewrite history and present themselves as an alternative. Slogans explicitly targeted the recent manifesto by the Shah’s son, exposing it as a thinly veiled plan for autocracy. One message read, “The essence of the Shah’s son’s plan and his manifesto is, in a word, dictatorship and rejection of independence.” Another warned that “The Shah’s son’s fantasies are to repeat history and return to a despotic and colonial past.” The activists also condemned his call for cooperation with the regime’s suppressive organs, asking, “In the history of which country have you seen a call for national cooperation that extends a hand to institutions of religious fascism?” This internal rebuke proves that the people of Iran reject any alliance with the instruments of their own oppression, such as the IRGC, and will not accept a return to the dark days of the past.
"Religious fascism and monarchic fascism, and denying the crimes of the Shah, the mullahs, SAVAK, the intelligence ministry, and the IRGC is a crime" pic.twitter.com/bqTwUmCM0J
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 23, 2025
The Iranian resistance presents the only democratic alternative
Amid this rejection of all forms of dictatorship, the Resistance Units championed a clear and viable path forward. Their slogans affirmed that the solution lies with the organized Iranian Resistance and the people themselves. Messages proclaimed, “Maryam Rajavi provides the real solution for the regime’s overthrow by the people and the Iranian Resistance,” and “The solution for regime change is in the hands of the people and the Iranian Resistance.”
This highlights the long-standing “Third Option” policy of the Iranian Resistance, which rejects both appeasement of the mullahs and foreign military intervention. Instead, it places its faith in the power of the Iranian people, as one slogan noted: “The Iranian nation, with its brave sons and daughters, is preparing for the main battle—an uprising to overthrow the regime.” This path is paved by 60 years of unwavering struggle, a history of sacrifice that gives this alternative its legitimacy and strength.
"This time, a Resistance exists that will not allow the Iranian people’s uprising and revolution—and the blood shed in Baluchestan and across Iran—to be stolen" pic.twitter.com/6KYKlYjP54
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 23, 2025
A lesson from history: Iran’s revolution will not be stolen again
The activities in Zahedan serve as a powerful reminder of the lessons learned from the 1979 revolution. The people of Iran will not allow their sacrifices to be hijacked by another authoritarian force. As one poignant slogan declared, “This time, a Resistance exists that will not allow the Iranian people’s uprising and revolution—and the blood shed in Baluchestan and across Iran—to be stolen.”
The ultimate vision is not about replacing one group in power with another, but about fundamental change. The principle guiding this struggle was perfectly captured in another message: “The goal of the National Council of Resistance is not to gain power, but to transfer it to the Iranian people.” The brave men and women of Zahedan have shown the world that the Iranian people’s quest is for nothing less than freedom and a true, democratic republic.