Ahead of October 29, the anniversary of Cyrus the Great, the heroic Resistance Units of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) launched a widespread campaign across the country, turning a day of national heritage into a powerful protest against the ruling theocracy. In at least 12 cities, from Pasargadae—Cyrus’s final resting place—to the capital Tehran, these brave activists displayed banners and chanted slogans that articulated a clear vision for the nation’s future: a democratic republic free from all forms of tyranny, whether from the mullahs or the monarchy.
Their actions directly challenge the regime’s narrative and send an unambiguous message to the world that the Iranian people’s struggle is not for a return to the past, but for a future built on freedom and popular sovereignty. The coordinated activities in cities including Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan, Kermanshah, and Sanandaj underscored the organized and nationwide presence of the resistance.
Reclaiming Cyrus as a symbol of justice against theocratic tyranny
The clerical regime has long viewed Cyrus the Great as a threat, attempting to erase a legacy that stands in stark contrast to its own brutal rule. Cyrus is remembered for his historic charter of human rights, which declared, “Let every man be of his own religion. Honor women. Look after the downtrodden.” This message of tolerance and justice is anathema to the mullahs’ oppressive ideology.
Shiraz (Pasargadae)
Like the shah regime, the final days of the mullahs' regime has come. pic.twitter.com/4Lpyy5LFh8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 29, 2025
Unlike the Shah and the mullahs, when Cyrus reached the pinnacle of power, he did not become arrogant, a dictator, a tyrant, or an oppressor. Instead of slaughter and enslavement, which was the norm for victors of his time, Cyrus chose a path of justice and respect. By invoking his name, the Resistance Units reclaim a national heritage that belongs to the people, not the tyrants who misrule them.
The core slogan: “Death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the supreme leader”
The central message of the campaign was powerfully captured in a slogan seen across Kerman, Shiraz, and Babol: “Death to the tyrant, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader.” This phrase decisively rejects the false dichotomy presented by apologists for both dictatorships and clarifies the democratic essence of the Iranian Resistance. It affirms that the Iranian people will not accept trading one oppressor for another.
Tabriz
Like the shah, the mullahs must go. The sovereignty of Iran belongs to the people. pic.twitter.com/7GRktJqrk0— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 29, 2025
This principle was further reinforced by banners in Tehran and Isfahan with the slogan: “The ‘No Shah, No mullahs’ is a demarcation with dictatorship and dependency.” Another banner in Isfahan declared, “The mullahs, like the Shah, must go. Sovereignty belongs to the people of Iran.” This clear demarcation is the cornerstone of the movement for a free and democratic republic.
A nationwide and organized movement
The breadth of the activities on October 29 demonstrates the PMOI Resistance Units’ extensive and resilient network inside Iran. Along a route to Pasargadae, a large banner featuring images of Massoud and Maryam Rajavi was hung from an overpass, boldly stating, “Just like the Shah’s regime, the final days of the mullahs have arrived,” and “For 120 years, the Iranian people’s resistance for freedom has continued against the Shah and the mullahs.”
Mashhad
Down with the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs pic.twitter.com/PootPMfpFT— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 29, 2025
Slogans also linked the legacy of Cyrus to the nationalist leader Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, with chants of “Cyrus, Mossadegh, we will fight, we will struggle, we will take Iran back” heard in Hamedan, Isfahan, and Sanandaj. This connects Iran’s ancient history of justice with its modern struggle for independence and democracy, showing a movement deeply rooted in the nation’s long-standing aspirations for freedom.