470 Parliamentarians Back Iran Democratic Alternative

The French capital, Paris, hosted an international online conference on Thursday, March 5, under the title "Iran at a Crossroads: Supporting the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s Plan for Iran’s Future."

The event brought together prominent political, parliamentary, and diplomatic figures from Europe, the United States, and Latin America to discuss developments in Iran and to support the democratic alternative proposed for the period following the fall of the Velayat-e Faqih regime.

The conference took place amid what participants described as an extremely sensitive moment in Iran’s history following the death of Ali Khamenei, which has created a political vacuum and intensified questions about the future of the regime and the alternative capable of ensuring an orderly and peaceful transfer of power to the Iranian people. In this context, participants expressed their support for the "provisional government" announced by the National Council of Resistance of Iran on February 28, viewing it as a transitional framework aimed at managing the interim period until the establishment of a democratic republic based on popular sovereignty, far from chaos or the reproduction of dictatorship.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, was the conference’s keynote speaker. She stated that the announcement of the provisional government represents "the raising of the banner of democracy and popular sovereignty," stressing that the overthrow of the regime can only be achieved by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. She said Iran is passing through an extremely dangerous historical moment and that the entire Velayat-e Faqih system has entered a phase of collapse, while "Resistance Units" continue their activities inside the country and intensify attacks on centers of repression, proving that an organized and effective force exists on the ground. She also emphasized that the provisional government is a guarantee for transferring power to the people and a barrier against any attempt to preserve the religious dictatorship or restore another dependent dictatorship under any other label.

The conference featured a distinguished group of international figures, including General James Jones, former U.S. National Security Advisor and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO; Dr. Liam Fox, former British Secretary of State for Defence; John Bercow, former Speaker of the British House of Commons; David Jones, British MP and former minister; Ambassador Robert Joseph, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security; Judge Louis Freeh, former Director of the FBI; former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli; Ingrid Betancourt, former Colombian presidential candidate; as well as other French, German, and European figures.

In their remarks, the speakers unanimously supported the democratic alternative proposed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran and clearly rejected any attempt to restore the Shah’s system. General James Jones said that the Iranian people "will not return to the dark years of the Pahlavi dynasty," adding that Iran’s future lies in a democratic republic. Dr. Liam Fox likewise stressed that only the Iranian people have the moral right to determine the form of their future government and that there is "no return to the absolute rule of the Shah."

John Bercow also declared that Reza Pahlavi "is not a path forward, but a path backward," arguing that he has made no sacrifice for the freedom of the Iranian people, in contrast to Maryam Rajavi, whose life he described as one of struggle, service, and sacrifice. David Jones, for his part, said that the Iranian regime is living through "its final moments" and announced his support, together with more than 70 British MPs from across the political spectrum, for the National Council of Resistance of Iran as "the legitimate representative of the Iranian people." He added that the Council’s Ten-Point Plan represents the only viable path toward a democratic republic.

One of the most significant revelations of the conference came from French MP Christine Arrighi, who announced that nearly 470 parliamentarians from different countries had signed, in less than 72 hours, a statement supporting the declaration of the provisional government of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. This, she said, reflects the growing international support for Iran’s democratic alternative. Ambassador Robert Joseph also emphasized that restoring a monarchy that has lost its legitimacy cannot be a solution, affirming that the National Council of Resistance of Iran is "the only entity capable of confronting the coming challenges." Judge Louis Freeh praised what he described as the "organized roadmap" prepared by the NCRI, considering it the only organized resistance capable of leading the transitional phase.

The conference concluded with broad agreement that support for the democratic alternative in Iran is no longer merely a political expression of solidarity with the Iranian people, but has become a necessity linked to regional stability and to preventing the return of dictatorship in any form, whether in the shape of Velayat-e Faqih or an all-encompassing Shah dictatorship. Participants further stressed that the path to Iran’s future must pass through popular sovereignty, free elections, separation of religion and state, equality, and the rule of law — the core principles of the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s project for the transitional period.