Iran, MEK and Regime Change Policy

by Pooya Stone

Since the major gathering of the Iranian opposition, MEK in Paris on July 1, the issue of necessity of regime change in Iran has gained traction.

“The only solution to free the people of Iran and establish peace and tranquility in the region, is the overthrow of the Iranian regime,” declared Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, in the major gathering of Iranians in Paris on July 1. She reiterated, “The regime’s overthrow is possible and within reach, and a democratic alternative and organized resistance MEK exists that can topple it.”

Maryam Rajavi’s call for regime change in Iran was widely echoed and supported by other prominent U.S. and European speakers. Among the speakers were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton. All supported MEK ’s call for regime change in Iran.

Referring to the MEK , Bolton, said: “There is a viable opposition to the rule of the ayatollahs, and that opposition is centered in this room today. I had said for over 10 years since coming to these events, that the declared policy of the United States of America should be … to change the regime itself. And that’s why, before 2019, we here will celebrate in Tehran!”

After the MEK and Iranian resistance’s July 1 rally in Paris, Fox News reported, “The Trump administration is potentially considering seeking a strategy to try to topple the regime.” The resistance, however, only needs American political and perhaps economic support to effect “regime change from within.”

As the Iranian regime change notion has gained momentum by the MEK rally, the Iranian regime is regarding the issue very serious. Fouad Izadi, an Iranian international expert in an interview with the state television, admitted to the scope of the new sanctions and terrorist designation of the Revolutionary Guards in the US Congress.

In response to the question that what exactly the Americans are after, Fouad Izadi said, “It doesn’t need any analysis...Mr. Tillerson said about a month ago in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, and a couple of weeks ago Mr. Mattis in a press conference he had, said, … we want to change the regime.”
The new bill in the U.S. Congress has added to already shaky regime’s fears. Janati, the head of the Guardian Council announced on Thursday that the main issue which has preoccupied the Supreme leader is his concern over regime change.

Iran Lobby attacks against MEK

At the same time the regime’s apologists and satellite writers in the Western media started their barrage of fake news and attacks against MEK to foil the regime policy.

The Iranian regime and its lobbies have consistently worked to paint the MEK as terrorists – with no evidence to support it – and discredit them in the eyes of the international community.

For instance, Mehdi Hasan an advocate of the Iranian extremist regime in the Britain and an Al-Jazeera English anchorman, could not hide his blind hatred towards MEK. In an article in Intercept, he levied numerous unfounded and threadbare allegations against MEK with many of them rebuked in several court of law during past decade. He also slandered the top politicians for supporting MEK as a viable force and wrote: “Could it be because of the old, if amoral, adage that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”? Perhaps. Could it be the result of ignorance, of senior U.S. figures failing to do due diligence? Maybe.”

The prominent Washington Free Beacon introduced Mehdi Hasan as, “a controversial British media figure whom insiders have billed as a mouthpiece for the Iranian regime. ...praised Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and publicly branded all non-believers as mentally ill "animals".

Ali Fallahian, regime’s former intelligence minister, made shocking remarks in an interview with Aparat Internet TV, In relation to the massacre of 30,000 MEK prisoners in 1988 he said, “the verdict is death sentence ... Mr. Mousavi (Tabrizi) who was the Revolution general prosecutor used to say that there is no need for trial at all ... it makes no sense that we try MEK ... Imam repeatedly insisted that you should be careful not to let MEK go... Imam always emphasized that you should always be cautious of this side ... MEK ruling is always execution. This was his (Khomeini’s) verdict as a supreme leader, either before this issue of 1988 or afterwards.” Fallahian said,”Many journalists are the intelligence agents ... A journalist is not paid well, so he should work with an intelligence service.” It is hard to believe that Mehdi Hasan is mouthpiece for the Iranian regime for free, as it is hard to believe that he moderates NIAC leadership conference or inviting NIAC president Trita Parsi to Al-Jazeera for free. NIAC of Trita Parsi is widely known as an Iranian regime’s lobby entity kicked off help of Javad Zarif, when he was Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations. Trita Parsi, another MEK blind foe, unsuccessfully campaigned on behalf of the Iranian regime to keep MEK in the U.S. list of FTO. Mehdi Hasan and Trita Parsi are two typical Iran lobbyist stereotyping MEK as cultish and undemocratic. Obviously, by attacking the MEK and their supporters, they are trying to induce that the regime has no viable alternative and to kill any hope or chance for regime change in Iran, which should happen with the MEK at its core.

Iranian lobby is working hard to show that regime change policy for Iran is equivalent to war and they have been successful with some quarters. The New York editorial board on July 20 writes, “Prominent Trump supporters like John Bolton, a former ambassador to the United Nations; Newt Gingrich, former House speaker; and Rudolph Giuliani, former New York mayor, are pressing Mr. Trump to abandon the deal and are speaking out on behalf of the Mujahedeen Khalq, [MEK] exiled Iranian dissidents who back regime change.” The editorial concludes, “Trump would make a grave mistake if instead of trying to work with those moderate forces he led the nation closer to war.”

What is MEK Demand?

What does MEK stands for and is asking the West to do for the regime change in Iran. Is MEK demanding a war against Iran? No!

MEK supports Mrs. Rajavi call during the July 1, gathering when she said, “Our demands reflect the demands of Sattar Khan, revered leader of the 1906 Constitutional Revolution, and Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq, leader of Iran’s Nationalist Movement in 1950s. As I have reiterated, repeatedly, we want neither money, nor arms. …we say that the struggle of the people of Iran for regime change is legitimate, righteous and imperative. We urge you to recognize this “resistance against oppression.”

Link with Iranian people through MEK

During the July 1 gathering, Judge Mukasy, the 81st Attorney General of the United States in order to get rid of Mullahs, said, “The best way for both Iranians and non-Iranians to do that is to align with the Iranian resistance [MEK ] so as to make it clear to the oppressed citizens of Iran that the world's quarrel is not with Iran but with the mullahs who have subjugated Iran.” He said MEK members within Iran “have provided both an example and a tool with their daring publicity campaign within Iran urging regime change and posting photos of Mrs Rajavi and slogans opposing the clerical regime. They've been writing slogans on walls to support this gathering.

For five decades, the MEK has put themselves at great risks because of their ideals of democracy, freedom and equality. The Iranian regime has killed 120,000 of dissidents, including 30,000 political prisoners, during the 1988 massacre, the vast majority of whom were MEK supporters.

Indeed, regime lobbyists will be out in force this month but the MEK has the Iranian people and those who champion for human rights on their side.

Iran, MEK and Regime Change Policy

Iran's Desperate Deed Against, Increasing Popularity of MEK

London, 27 Jun - What happened 29 years ago in Iran, and why after all these years, we are witnessing a crisis and a rising conflict among rival factions in the ruling class over that in Iran?

Throughout the summer of 1988 in Iran, some 30,000 political prisoners, the bulk of whom were MEK members or sympathizers, were executed. This year marks the 29th anniversary of that horrible Crime Against Humanity.

Last summer, an audio tape was revealed by the son of Hossein-Ali Montazeri. On August 9, 2016, the recording was heard for the first time, and thereon Khomeini’s former heir can be heard telling a gathering of members of the “Death Committee” that they're winding up a crime against humanity, 28 years ago, on august 15, 1988. Wrote M. Hakamian in INU on June 24, 2017 and the following are excerpts of the article.

The tape sent shockwaves through Iran, as it adds new knowledge of the breadth and scope of the massacre and confirms that it involved the highest levels of leadership. For more than two decades silence has been imposed in regards to the massacre because, you see, Iranian leaders who held positions of power at that time, members of the notorious Death Commission, are still in leadership positions today.

They have never faced justice for committing this horrific crime against humanity.

Hossein-Ali Montazeri, who was consequently dismissed as the heir by Khomeini, and subsequently spent the rest of his life under house arrest, for the very remarks heard on the audio tape, tells members of the Death Commission, who include Hossein-Ali Nayyeri, the sharia judge, Morteza Eshraqi, the prosecutor, Ebrahim Raeesi, deputy prosecutor, and Mostafa Pourmohammadi, representative of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), “The greatest crime committed during the reign of the Islamic Republic, for which history will condemn us, has been committed by you. Your (names) will in the future be etched in the annals of history as criminals.” He adds, “Executing these people while there have been no new activities (by the prisoners) means that … the entire judicial system has been at fault.”

Following release of the audio tapes, the Iranian Resistance initiated a worldwide movement, and through the last ten months each within and outside Iran, have created a large momentum against the continued violation of human rights in Iran.

Regarding the recent revelations, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, described the audio recording as an historical document. Mrs. Rajavi said that the recording attests to the strength of the Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) political prisoners’ rejection of surrender, to their admirable allegiance and the perseverance of their commitment to the Iranian people. She called the recording “irrefutable evidence that leaders of the mullahs are responsible for crimes against humanity and the unprecedented genocide.”

In February 2017, Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran (JVMI), revealed the main points of diverse mass graves in Iran. Page 349 of the JVMI report, “Inquiry into the 1988 mass executions in Iran”, refers to the mass grave close to the Behesht Abad burial site in Ahvaz. Then, Amnesty International revealed a point on June one, 2017 on its web site, warning that the Iranian authorities is also trying to desecrate a mass grave web site in Ahvaz, southern Asian nation in a shot to destroy important rhetorical proof, and sabotage opportunities for justice for the mass killings of political prisoners that happened across the country in 1988.

While Iranian officials attempt to counter the results of those revelations, growing sympathy for MEK members WHO were the main victims of this atrocious massacre, and increased popularity of the opposition movement have resulted, instead.

In recent months, following a report revealed by The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, regarding the power and progress of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK), officials have admitted the Iranian youth has tended toward the attraction of the Mojahedin (MEK), additionally because the status of the Mojahedin at home and at the international level.

The director general of a state funded Habilian Foundation, Hashemi Nejad, stated, “We have control over 300 exhibitions against MEK| in Iran up to now. These days, MEK is getting recognized as a number one institute in defending Human Rights,” He intercalary that the duty currently, is to debate Human Rights problems against MEK since Iranian youths area unit the target of MEK. In step with Intelligence Ministry officers, an in depth analysis report against MEK, of quite 8 to 1000 words, has recently been revealed in the Habilian web site, affiliated to the Ministry.

“The Mojahedin Organization (MEK) is after… total change and removal of the Velayat-e faqih system in Iran…,” states the report.

It additionally discusses the role of MEK in exposing the Iranian’s administration secret comes to get nuclear weapons, saying, “Following exposure of the problem (nuclear weapons program), the media revealed reports during this regard and this was the start of a significant crisis that resulted within the adoption of many resolutions and sanctions with the devastating effects that area unit still continued.”

The Intelligence Ministry reminded the general public of the role of Mojahedin in the 2009 revolt, and admitted its worry of uprisings and revolts being tied to the nationwide resistance and to the Mojahedin, and wrote, “Mojahedin (MEK)… were still searching for a chance to strike the Islamic Republic of Iran, till the beginning of 2009 elections followed by the road riots, the cluster appropriated the chance and issued statements and messages to preparethe bottom for achieving their goals… one among the goals (of the MEK) in 2009 election was to get rid of Velayat-e faqih and change the regime.”

The Mojahedin’s advancement in the international arena was additionally noted, “…In addition, members of the (MEK) organization hold conferences in France from time to time… in the recent years, the Mojahedin organization has control campaign and conferences in each international events and communities, together with the United Nations, against the country and also the system.”

The report complete by describing the strategies to confront the MEK, such as, “Introducing and totally distinctive the (MEK) organization (i.e. which means distorting the image of the organization)… to stop, during this means, individuals and new members from connection the organization which might result in exaggerated injury to the system,” and intercalary, “Strengthening the borders and increasing the country’s defense power: By this action, we will} stop entry of the MEK members into the country… and then we are going to be able to avert and keep off the enemies of the system outside the borders.”

These confessions seem to indicate the facility, with reference to social additionally as standard standing, of the foreign terrorist organization and NCRI area unit welcome by the Iranian youth.

After the Mullahs were unable the failure to destroy the MEK by blockade and missile attacks, and also the Mojahedin were able to maintain the integrity of their organization and transfer themselves to a secure place, the regime is frightened, and that they try to frighten the Iranian individuals with warnings regarding the danger of Mojahedin.

In another report, revealed in Habilian web site, the Intelligence Ministry expressed that intellectual (thought) danger of unarmed MEK is far quite the threat of armed MEK.

In an interview with Vatan Emrouz, september four, 2016, the Secretary General of the Habilian establishment, that could be a branch of the Intelligence Ministry, mohammad Javad Hashemi Nejad, had previously warned regarding the danger of the MEK revelations, stating, “Mojahedin within the areas of human rights and connectedproblems are present within the European Parliament and within the U.S. and any places wherever there's opposition to the system …MEK could be a dangerous force…”

This sense of danger is also attributed to the actual fact that the surge in power of the MEK has coincided with the divisiveness inside the Velayat-e faqih system, additionally because the unrest, within the type of immensely increasing protests and demonstrations, in Iranian society.

The assistance to the West by the foreign terrorist organization had power-assisted the West in revealing Iran’s secret nuclear missiles programme was additionally highlighted. to prevent the youth from connection the foreign terrorist organization, the Regime makes an attempt to gift a twisted read of the Resistance Forces, that is that the reason behind the exhibitions and flicks like “Magaraye Nimroz”, a movie by state run media, on screen currently.

However, within the thick of the info and exaggeration close it, a political analyst attacked the film. Sadegh Zibakalam, a social science faculty member at Teheran State University, associate degreed an associate of former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, WHO was additionally answerable for dispatching of university students to war with Iraq throughout 80’s, criticized the film. He said, “The events during this picture show don't seem to be reciting the truth of what is going on between the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and MEK therein era, we tend toarea unit condemnatory MEK, however haven't asked why MEK fought back? As if they did it for no reason! This film is attempting to imply that IRGC agents were kind and caring for humanity, (this isn't true) we tend to killed thousands of MEK members with none trials, similar to the killers of imaum Hossain (a seventh century revolutionary Muslim leader WHO created the last word sacrifice for social justice within the face of corruption and tyranny).” Zibakalam’s confession clearly shows the impotency of such desperate moves to alter the MEK.

In their recap of the report, The National Council of Resistance of Asian nation (NCRI) wrote, “The truth is that once the Mullahs were unable to destroy the MEK by cold-blooded blockade and missile attacks, and Mojahedin were able to maintain the integrity of their organization and transfer themselves to a secure place, the Mullahs area unit frightened currently. that's why the mullahs often yowl and whimper regarding the danger of MEK.”

“This worry and sense of danger is especially attributable to the actual fact that the power and cohesion of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran has coincided on the one hand with the weakness and supreme decay of the Velayat-e faqih system and also the crises engulfing the upper class, and on the opposite hand by the actual fact that Iran’s society is on the verge of explosion and prepared for insurrection and revolution and is just looking ahead to a spark,” they wrote.

Iran's Desperate Deed Against, Increasing Popularity of MEK. 

 

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July 10, 2017

Facing up to Iran

By Hassan Mahmoudi

After eight years of Barack Obama‘s strategy of “patience” towards Iran, the Trump administration on Iran is basically inverting Obama’s foreign policy.

On June 30, 2017, several prominent figures gave their opinions on the current situation during a panel discussion reviewng U.S. policy on Iran.

Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, former Assistant Secretary of State for Military Affairs, moderated the discussion and was joined by John Baird, former Foreign Minister of Canada, Joseph Lieberman, former U.S. Senator and vice-presidential candidate, Ambassador Robert Joseph, United States Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation and the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security until 2007, Rtd. General Jack Keane, former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique of France.

John Baird kicked off the discussion saying that he completely rejects the Obama administration’s appeasement of Iran and his claims that President Rouhani is a moderate. He said that there is no moderation in the Iranian government and it was very naïve of Obama to make such claims. He also pointed to the recent presidential elections in Iran, which were anything but democratic. He questioned how an election can be considered democratic when a panel exists to approve and reject candidates. There is nothing democratic about an election in which presidential candidates are only candidates because of their strong allegiance to the Supreme Leader and his vision.

Joseph Lieberman emphasized that nothing has changed in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the nuclear deal came into effect. He said that Iran continues to support terrorism, it continues to fuel warfare and still causes horrible human suffering in the Middle East, all to further its own agenda.

He too criticized the Obama’s administration’s treatment of Iran saying his policies were “Iran-centered.” Lieberman said that the Trump administration’s review of foreign policy toward Iran, which is currently in progress, will hopefully take into account that the people of Iran can be considered allies of the U.S. and so can the Iranian Resistance. He said that the opposition and resistance to the regime are looking for the same as the U.S. -- peace.

Pointing to changes in Iran, Lieberman a

lso mentioned that President Hassan Rouhani is starting to make independent comments that are angering officials of the regime and that the country’s Supreme Leader has publicly threatened that he will be sent into exile like previous presidents.

Robert Joseph agreed that nothing has changed in Iran since the nuclear deal was signed and emphasized that Iran continues to pursue nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. He also pointed out that the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the main opposition, very recently revealed new information about Iran’s ballistic missile program.

He called on officials to put the Iran proliferation threat into context, in other words, to recognize that the threat lies with the regime. He said it is essential to find a path to getting rid of the regime. They reiterated that this is the bottom line as far as he is concerned.

Joseph said that the nuclear deal is highly ineffective because it rewards the regime for pretending it is not pursuing nuclear weapons. He said: “Cheating is in the DNA of the regime.”

Regarding claims that there is moderation in the Iranian government, as said by many leaders in the West, Joseph said that it is a misplaced hope. He said that this will never happen and the Iranian regime is at the center of the threat. There must be regime change from within and this can be done via the opposition. He said that we need to support the opposition that wants a non-nuclear Iran that is ruled by a secular government.

Jack Keane said that the Iranian regime’s goal is to dominate the region and to impose its will across the Middle East, but the Trump administration is acting to put an end to this. Although he agreed that President Trump does not have much experience with foreign policy, he said that he has chosen a very strong, knowledgeable and experienced foreign policy team.

Speaking about the differences between the Trump administration and that of his predecessor, Keane drew attention to the fact that Trump, at the very beginning of his time in office, sent his top officials around the world to reassure them that the U.S. would be by their side and that it would not be taking a “wait and see” approach to Obama’s administration.

Keane placed a lot of importance on Trump’s first official visit, saying that it was very significant that it was to the Middle East. He made it clear that the U.S. would stand with its Middle Eastern allies, saying that the biggest threat to all of them was Iran. He vowed that they would curb the threat of Iran together – showing that his administration was taking a 100 percent reversal of Obama’s policy.

Secondly, during his Middle Eastern trip, Trump told the Muslim leaders that they need to get extremism out of their mosques and they have to stop their citizens from funding terrorism. He said that they need to ensure that young people have an alternative but emphasized that the U.S. would be standing behind them the whole way and is ready to use force, if or when it is necessary. Keane said that this visit was proof of Trump’s commitment to countering the Iranian threat.

Another action that showed Trump’s commitment was the fact that he acted immediately when Iran fired a ballistic missile in the early days of his term.

Bruno Tertrais spoke about the European attitude to the Iranian crisis, saying that many in Europe confuse moderation and pragmatism. Referring to claims that the regime is moderate, Tertrais slammed this idea saying that it may be pragmatic but it can in no way be described as moderate. He called Iran the “arsonist to the fireman” and said that it is hugely responsible for the rise in terrorism that we have seen in recent years.

Being French, Tertrais felt he had to mention France’s stance on the situation. However, French President Emmanuel Macron is so new to the office and has not said anything yet to indicate that he is naïve about the Middle East crisis. He strongly believes that Macron will have the correct policies in place to act in the way he should.

President Obama and many EU leaders thought that trade would bring moderation to Iran, but this is completely false. Furthermore, it has been historically proven that it doesn’t work. So rapprochement in that respect is a mistake.

Tertrais emphasized that Iran and its militias are propping up the Assad regime. ISIS is the “best friend” of Assad, therefore Iran, by supporting Syria, is reinforcing ISIS and its terrorist activities. And finally, he said that Iran is not showing the behavior of a country that is giving up for good the nuclear option.

Hassan.mahmoudi:  MSc California State University, Sacramento: A human rights advocate, admin member of the international human right organization, Up to date on all current affairs including political and economic issues on Iran and the Middle East. He tweets @hassan_mahmou1

Facing up to Iran

Maryam Rajavi and Rudy Giuliani Meet at the NCRI Headquarters in France

AddGiuliani: The Iranian resistance is a viable alternative to the cleric regime caption

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), met Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Friday, June 30, at the NCRI headquarters in Auvers-sur-Oise, northwest of Paris.

Mayor Giuliani pointed to the Iranian regime’s malign activities in the region, stressing that the mullahs are the source instability and crisis in the region, and have kept their grip on power in the past 38 years through widespread repression and blatant disregard for human rights at home and the export of extremism and terrorism abroad.

The former New York City Mayor emphasized that the Iranian regime has been the most active state sponsor of terrorism and Islamic extremism in the past three decades, and that Hassan Rouhani has been a key player in pursuing the regime’s ominous objectives, including in the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He said despite all the concessions unduly provided to the Tehran, the clerical regime is at a complete impasse and is extremely vulnerable in view of the economic crisis, domestic isolation and a growing power struggle.

There is a growing consensus in the United States that the West’s policy of appeasing the Iranian regime has been a total failure, Mayor Giuliani said. He added that the imperative of formulating a firm policy on Iran, namely standing with the Iranian people and the resistance to bring about change, is becoming more pervasive.

Mrs. Rajavi appreciated Mr. Giuliani’s endeavors in the campaign that led to the safe transfer of members of the Iranian resistance from Iraq to other countries, including Albania. She elaborated on the expanding and continuing activities of the Iranian resistance, particularly in Iran, especially during the shame elections and afterwards.

Mr. Giuliani expressed his support for Mrs. Rajavi’s efforts to establish democracy and human rights in Iran, noting that the Iranian Resistance is a viable alternative to the medieval regime ruling Iran.

Mr. Giuliani was among 30 former senior US officials and top military commanders who issued a joint statement in support of the Iranian resistance and its objectives.

The statement said in part: “We believe that change is within reach, not only because the regime is becoming engulfed in crisis, but also because there is a large and growing movement organizing for positive change. A viable organization capable of ending the nightmare of religious dictatorship by establishing freedom and democracy, tolerance, and gender equality has steadily gained visibility, popular support and international recognition. Under the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, a Muslim woman standing for gender equality, which is an antidote to Islamic fundamentalism and extremism, it is working every day to bring about a tolerant, non-nuclear Iranian republic based on separation of religion and state, that will uphold the rights of all.”

According to the signatories, “The National Council of Resistance of Iran, pursuing its long journey that began more than a half-century ago, has the vision, leadership and courage to lead the way to the creation of a new Iran. The obligation to stand up to this corrupt and illegitimate regime and say “no more” rests with the Iranian people alone, but the international community must meet its responsibility by condemning the Mullahs’ oppression and embracing the Iranian people’s aspirations for a free and prosperous Iran accepted and respected around the world.”

Mr. Giuliani is among dozens of American and European dignitaries who will be addressing the free Iran gathering on Saturday, July 1, 2017 in Paris.
Maryam Rajavi and Rudy Giuliani Meet at the NCRI Headquarters in France

IRAN'S MISSILE ACCELERATION ACTIVITY REVEALED BY IRANIAN OPPOSITION'S NETWORK OF MEK

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 INU - On Tuesday, a press conference was held in Washington DC by the US representative office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) where it was revealed that on orders of Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, Tehran has accelerated its missile activities and tests since the Iran Nuclear Deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of JCPOA.

Based on detailed intelligence obtained by the Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) from inside Iran — specifically reports obtained from the Defense Ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) — Khamenei has tasked the , ,’s Aerospace Force with executing this mandate.

For a long time the Iranian opposition has established itself as one of the main sources for exposing secret aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities, as well as the regime’s Weapons of Mass Destruction program.

There is a rising concern over Iran’s missile program. Wide ranging new sanctions were imposed on Iran by the US Senate last week, partly for continuing and expanding its ballistic missile program.

NCRI-US Deputy Director Alireza Jafarzadeh said, “The IRGC’s Aerospace Force is responsible for the regime’s missiles program and the scope of the program is much more extensive than what it was previously perceived.”

Locations of 42 centers involved in the production, testing and launching of missiles by the IRGC were verified by the Iranian opposition. A dozen of these sites were revealed for the first time, and 15 are part of the regime’s missile manufacturing network. These 15 centers include several factories that are related to a missile industry group, which together form a web of missile production facilities.

Four of Iran’s most important missile centers in Semnan, Lar (in Fars Province), Khorramabad, and in the vicinity of Bidgeneh Village near Karaj city were identified by the MEK. Two of these centers are described by the regime as missile cities.

According to the MEK, the missile center in Semnan has been actively collaborating with SPND, the engineering unit for the nuclear weapons program inside the Iranian government, known as the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research. Tests related to the SPND organization are conducted at this site.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran first revealed the existence of SPND (a Persian acronym) in July of 2011 in Washington, DC, and SPND was placed in the sanctions list three years later.

The NCRI said that the IRGC’s missile sites are created based on North Korean models and blueprints, and North Korean experts helped IRGC leaders to build them.

Deputy Director Jafarzadeh stressed that the Iranian regime has remained in power by relying on two pillars: internal repression and external export of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, and that its illicit nuclear weapons program, with its continued expansion of ballistic missiles, serve these pillars.

He added that “as the regime becomes more isolated domestically and its grip on Iranian society weakens, it resorts more frantically to the second pillar of its bid to keep power.” He said that Iranian President Rouhani has “neither the capacity nor the will” to set aside its policy of ballistic missile expansion. Supreme Leader Khamenei has the final say, and he expressly stated on May 10, 2017, “There is no difference between change of behavior and change of regime,” and on May 23, 2017, President Rouhani emphasized that the missile activities will continue unabated.

Jafarzadeh noted that the Iranian people oppose the regime’s nuclear and missile programs, and its interference in the region. He also spoke about the major gathering of Iranians in Paris on July 1st, where tens of thousands of Iranians and their international supporters, including hundreds of luminaries from all over the world, will declare their unequivocal opposition to the policies of exporting Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, as well as the expansionist interventions in the region, and the nuclear and missile programs.

“The July 1st #FreeIran rally is a referendum against the religious fascism ruling Iran and its warmongering policies in the region, as well as against its nuclear and missile programs.” Jafarzadej said.

Finally, the conference underscored the need for:

1. The enactment and enforcement of effective and broad sanctions against Iran’s missile program and all related entities, institutions, and individuals.

2. Designation of the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) for its role as the force responsible for terrorism as well as the missile program.

3. Expulsion of the IRGC and its affiliated militias and proxies from the region, particularly from Syria and Iraq.