Briefing at the US Congress about Democratic Transition and the Announcement of a Provisional Government

Maryam Rajavi: The slogan of the Iranian Resistance and the provisional government is peace and freedom.

Honorable Members of the United States Congress,
Distinguished guests,

Over the past months, two major developments have taken place in Iran: the January uprising and the ongoing war that, in addition to Iran, has had deep and lasting effects on the geopolitics of the Middle East and on international relations, and will continue to do so.

Key Lessons of the Iranian Resistance

However, these events have already begun to answer important assumptions that for many years have shaped the political thinking of governments, major media, and policy institutions in the West, which the Iranian Resistance has warned about them for decades.
Among these key lessons, are:
• A policy of appeasement ultimately leads to conflict.
• This regime will never abandon its three pillars strategy that are nuclear weapon,  ballistic missile and proxy groups program and by giving power to the Khamenei’s son, they have shown that they intend to continue the policies of the past 47 years without any change.
• The idea that the regime will collapse on its own is unrealistic and this regime will not change with virtual activities or satellite programs
• To survive, the regime is willing to commit any crime, and therefore, resistance
against the mullahs’ dictatorship, is the legitimate right of the Iranian people.
• The people of Iran seek the overthrow of the regime in its entirety.
The solution to the crisis in Iran is the overthrow of the regime, which can only be achieved by the Iranian people themselves and through their organized resistance.

What Is the Solution?

Honorable dignitaries,
These realities have been the subject of the consistent warnings that the National Council of Resistance of Iran has issued over the past four decades.
Accordingly, we have said from the beginning that the solution is the overthrow of this regime, and that the answer lies in the hands of the Iranian people themselves.
As the Declaration of Independence states, the American people were once subjected to the most barbaric and brutal acts.
Yet it was the American people, who freed themselves from that oppression.
Today, it is also the people of Iran, who will bring freedom to their country.
In January of this year, the regime killed thousands of unarmed protesters in the streets and showed pictures of their bodies in black bags on its own state television.
What is the response to a regime that massacres protesters?
The answer lies with the Iranian people and youth: The Resistance Units and the Liberation Army.
Units of this army carried out an attack in the early hours of February 23 against one of the regime’s most important leadership centers, namely Khamenei’s headquarters.
This Resistance relies on the experience and commitment of the main opposition force, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran -MEK that has fought against this regime for 47 years. They have promoted the culture of remaining steadfast and paying the price of freedom in Iranian society for the past several decades. Now, they have turned into the focal point of hope for masses of youths who have the power and are willing to fight the IRGC.

A Viable Solution with Historical Backing

The people of Iran have succeeded in presenting a credible solution with strong historical and social support. This solution is a democratic alternative: the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
This alternative reject both the former monarchical dictatorship and the current religious tyranny.
It looks toward the future, instead of returning to the past or continuing the present situation.
Continuing the current situation or going back to the past would mean continued oppression and poverty for the people of Iran, and instability and conflict for the region.
Based on its ten-point plan the NCRI has declared a provisional government.
The slogan of the Iranian Resistance and the provisional government is peace and freedom.
It is encouraging that a majority of members of the US House of Representatives, through Resolution 166 have emphasized on the Ten-Point Plan and on the need for the establishment of a republic based on the separation of religion and state. This resolution presents a credible framework for policy toward Iran.
The Iranian Resistance has repeatedly declared that it does not ask for boots on the ground, money or weapons from foreign countries. However, at this critical moment, the Iranian people and Resistance call for the following:
First, recognizing the NCRI’s provisional government to transfer sovereignty to the people of Iran;
Second, offering effective technical support to ensure the Iranian people’s access to internet;
Third, the expulsion of agents of the regime from U.S. soil.