Iran at a crossroads: International leaders rally behind NCRI provisional government amidst historic upheavals

2026-03-16 - 18:14

The political landscape of Iran has been irrevocably altered following a series of unprecedented domestic and international events in late 2025 and early 2026. Following the recent uprising and the regional conflict, the clerical regime found itself fundamentally destabilized. It is against this volatile and historic backdrop that a major online conference titled, “Iran at a Crossroads: Supporting the NCRI Provisional Government Based on Its Ten-Point Plan,” was convened. Featuring a distinguished roster of former heads of state, foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders, and human rights advocates from across the globe, the conference addressed the immediate reality of a collapsing theocracy. The speakers deliberated on the grave human rights conditions, the recent massacres of protesters, the complex geopolitical fallout of the ongoing military strikes, and the absolute necessity of a viable democratic alternative. The overarching theme of the conference firmly rejected foreign military occupation and the resurgence of the deposed monarchial dictatorship, coalescing instead around the Iranian people’s right to self-determination and the organized Resistance’s strategic roadmap for a free, democratic, and secular republic. Maryam Rajavi’s roadmap for democratic transition In her keynote address, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), outlined a comprehensive vision for Iran’s future in the wake of the recent uprisings and military strikes. Rajavi delineated the structure of the NCRI’s newly announced Provisional Government, designed to transfer sovereignty directly to the Iranian people based on the movement’s Ten-Point Plan. She emphasized that the historic crisis facing Iran cannot be resolved by installing a weaker, hereditary successor like Mojtaba Khamenei, characterizing his elevation as an admission of the regime’s terminal decline and a descent into a “hereditary clerical monarchy.” Highlighting the devastating consequences of decades of Western appeasement, Mrs. Rajavi warned that foreign military intervention alone cannot forge a democratic society. “At a time when Iran and the entire region are engulfed in a devastating war, in the name of peace and freedom, I call upon the world to recognize the only solution to Iran’s grave crisis. This solution is the overthrow of the regime by the Resistance through an organized uprising and the Army of Liberation,” she stated. Online international conference – Supporting the NCRI’s Provisional Government based on the Ten-Point Plan- The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), with 60 years of experience in the struggle against two dictatorships and thousands of tested cadres, is the driving... pic.twitter.com/ZdIgut33LZ — Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) March 15, 2026 Mrs. Rajavi detailed the heavy toll paid by the PMOI Resistance Units during the January uprisings, noting that 2,000 fighters remain missing following a relentless campaign of anti-repression operations. In presenting her policy recommendations to the international community, Mrs. Rajavi was unequivocal in her demands. She urged global leaders to shift away from managing the crisis and to actively support the democratic alternative. “We call on world governments to close the embassies of the clerical regime and to compel it to release political prisoners, end internet shutdowns, and halt executions,” she urged, calling for international recognition of the Iranian people’s legitimate battle against the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Support for the NCRI’s Provisional Government A central focus of the conference was the broad international endorsement of the NCRI’s Provisional Government, which has been established to guide Iran through a transitional post-theocracy phase. Speakers recognized that the abrupt power vacuum created by the recent strikes and the domestic uprisings requires a highly organized, legitimate, and tested alternative to prevent chaos and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Senator Giulio Terzi, former Foreign Minister of Italy, revealed the immense scale of global political backing for this initiative. He noted that an “extraordinary demonstration of support” had been delivered by more than 1,000 parliamentarians, former heads of state, and ministers globally who signed a joint statement endorsing the Provisional Government. Terzi emphasized that this “unprecedented endorsement reflects a broad cross-party international recognition of a democratic alternative for Iran,” grounding its legitimacy in the sacrifices of its martyrs rather than the remnants of past or present oppressors. Conference today: Iran at a Crossroads: Supporting the NCRI’s Provisional Government based Maryam Rajavi's Ten-Point Plan#OurChoicemMaryamRajavi #NCRIAlternativehttps://t.co/uIaGVhKGCR — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 15, 2026 Former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird highlighted the specific structural parameters of this transition, pointing out the necessity of discipline and organization in replacing the religious fascists. He praised the framework of a “provisional government with a strictly limited six-month mandate to transfer sovereignty to the people of Iran.” This sentiment was echoed by Guy Verhofstadt, former Prime Minister of Belgium, who stressed the urgency for Western powers, particularly the European Union, to abandon passive observation. Verhofstadt called for the immediate opening of a “structural and structured dialogue with the democratic opposition,” noting that the Provisional Government provides the essential blueprint—complete with elections after six months—to build a post-mullahs Iran. Geir Haarde, former Prime Minister of Iceland, pointed out that the existence of the Provisional Government means the vision of a democratic Iran “is no longer theoretical.” He stated that while the world’s attention remains fixated on the aerial bombardments, the critical political development of an organized alternative must not be overlooked, urging the international community to formally recognize the NCRI’s Provisional Government. The need for a tough policy on Iran’s regime and the IRGC The conference featured stark assessments of the threats posed by the remnants of the clerical regime and the IRGC, demanding a decisive end to the decades-long policy of appeasement. Despite the recent military strikes that severely degraded the regime’s Air Force and Navy, speakers warned that the regime’s apparatus of terror, both domestically and internationally, remains a potent threat that requires a stringent, uncompromising international response. Linda Chavez, former Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, acknowledged the military successes in decapitating the regime but issued a stern warning regarding the surviving elements of the state apparatus. She noted that the regime is still capable of mobilizing government functions and, crucially, that the danger of enriched uranium persists. Chavez emphasized that the surviving elements of the mullahs’ leadership, including the newly installed Mojtaba Khamenei, must be entirely removed from power for any meaningful transition to occur. Senator van Knapen: Under the inspiring leadership of @Maryam_Rajavi, the #NCRIAlternative has taken a historic step: #FreeIran10PointPlan to form a provisional government as a bridge toward a democratic state, leading to free elections within 6 months. https://t.co/O1ecGv1Q6O — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2026 The international reach of the regime’s terror network was a major point of contention. Baroness O’Loan, a member of the British House of Lords, cited a July intelligence report detailing the persistent, unpredictable, and acute national security threats posed by Iranian state agents in the United Kingdom. Revealing that UK security services have stopped at least 15 murder or kidnapping attempts against British nationals or UK-based individuals since 2022, she demanded immediate diplomatic consequences. “We must close the embassy and work with our allies to help you,” O’Loan declared, pointing to the weaponization of Iran’s diplomatic missions. General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, provided a tactical overview of the ongoing situation, noting that the skies over Iran are being swept daily to dismantle the IRGC and the Basij. He described the defeat of the regime as “inevitable,” yet emphasized that the ultimate victory requires the physical presence and strategic action of the organized Resistance on the ground. Clark urged the PMOI to cautiously but courageously “continue to strike at the fragments of the regime” to ensure the complete dismantling of its oppressive machinery. The Third Option and the Ten-Point Plan A recurring consensus among the dignitaries was the validation of Maryam Rajavi’s “Third Option”—the principle that the Iranian crisis cannot be resolved through diplomatic appeasement of the mullahs, nor through foreign military occupation, but only through democratic regime change led by the Iranian people and their organized Resistance. This strategic approach is anchored in the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan, which was widely praised as the definitive constitution for a future free Iran. Carla Sands, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, underscored the historical failure of Western policies. She articulated that while appeasement emboldened the regime’s terrorism, military confrontation alone “cannot create legitimacy or establish a democratic alternative.” Sands emphasized that lasting political change must come from within society, asserting that the democratic governments of the world must now grant political recognition to the NCRI to signal their support for Iranian self-determination. .@Ghaarde: Iran looks forward. It will neither return to the Pahlavi monarchy nor remain trapped in clerical dictatorship. We must also support @Maryam_Rajavi’s call to spare civilians and protect infrastructure during this conflict. #NCRIAlternativehttps://t.co/5g6XmW4cNH — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2026 The Ten-Point Plan’s specific guarantees were repeatedly highlighted as the antithesis of the current theocracy. Margot Kässmann, former Chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany, spoke passionately about the necessity of separating religion and state, a core tenet of the plan. “Religion can never lead a state,” Kässmann stated, expressing her deep desire to see Iranian women live in freedom and make decisions about their own lives without the imposition of fundamentalist religious decrees. Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman reinforced the anti-war sentiment embedded in the Third Option. While fiercely supporting the revolution of the Iranian people to overthrow the mullahs, Karman rejected the notion that foreign bombing campaigns could install a democratic system. She warned that such wars risk destroying Iran’s capabilities and imposing external political arrangements, stating firmly, “Western countries should support the Iranian people.” Edvard Solnes, former Minister for the Environment of Iceland, mirrored this sentiment, noting that the Ten-Point Plan reflects the democratic values of Nordic constitutions. He expressed profound skepticism that foreign bombing helps the cause of freedom, reiterating that true, lasting regime change must originate from the organic struggle of the Iranian populace. Support for the PMOI Resistance Units The driving force behind the internal push for regime change—the PMOI Resistance Units—received extensive praise and recognition for their critical, on-the-ground operations. As foreign military strikes target macro-level military infrastructure, the speakers highlighted that it is the Resistance Units that are systematically dismantling the regime’s apparatus of domestic repression, organizing the populace, and paying the ultimate price in blood. The statistics surrounding the Resistance Units’ recent activities paint a picture of a highly organized, relentless force. During the conference, it was revealed that in the past year, these units carried out 3,000 anti-repression operations. The sheer human cost of this struggle was brought to light, with 2,000 fighters reported missing following the January uprising alone. A pivotal moment of the internal resistance was highlighted in the February 23, 2026, attack on Ali Khamenei’s heavily fortified residence by 250 PMOI fighters, an operation that resulted in 82 fighters being killed or arrested but fundamentally shattered the aura of the regime’s invincibility before the foreign strikes began. .@Baird: True change requires a plan, and @Maryam_Rajavi’s #FreeIran10PointPlan provides a roadmap for democratic transition. We must reject both clerical and hereditary rule to secure a non-nuclear Iran committed to free elections and equality. #NCRIAlternative... — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2026 Irish Senator Gerard Craughwell paid tribute to these internal forces, noting that freedom “cannot be imposed from 35,000 feet; it can only be achieved by the people of Iran on the ground.” He identified the Resistance Units and the rebellious youth as the true drivers of the revolution, describing them as voices “led by women and rooted in courage” who are the trusted representatives of Iran’s future. Former Irish Senator John Perry echoed this operational reality, stressing that when dealing with a country of 90 million people, an uprising must come from within. He called for greater international media acknowledgment of the PMOI’s ground network, noting, “It is very important that when this war or invasion by the US settles down, your Resistance Units on the ground take to the streets. It is about people power taking control.” The rejection of both shah and mullahs’ regimes As the clerical regime’s grip on power crumbles, a significant portion of the conference was dedicated to neutralizing a parallel threat: the orchestrated, foreign-backed campaign to resurrect the deposed Pahlavi monarchy through the person of Reza Pahlavi. The speakers were unified in their condemnation of this “neo-fascist” push, viewing it as a dangerous distraction that insults the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. The slogan “Neither Shah nor Mullahs” served as a defining boundary for the international community’s support. .@GiulioTerzi: As an Italian citizen and friend of those who place freedom above all else, I am honored to reinforce our support for the #FreeIran10PointPlan of the #NCRIAlternative. President @Maryam_Rajavi’s plan offers the clearest vision for a free Iran in decades.... — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2026 John Baird established the political baseline by asserting, “We must reject both the clerical and the hereditary rule. Down with the mullahs.” This rejection of hereditary power was aimed equally at the newly installed Mojtaba Khamenei and the son of the former Shah. Esther Rodriguez, Vice President of the Assembly of Madrid, stated bluntly that “democracy is not hereditary. Being someone’s son does not give you the right to lead a country.” She warned that the Shah’s son’s refusal to distance himself from his father’s repressive, torturous regime makes his candidacy deeply problematic for a people fighting for a forward-looking republic. Baroness O’Loan exposed the deceptive tactics utilized by monarchist factions abroad. She detailed how supporters of Reza Pahlavi had gathered signatures from UK parliamentarians under the guise of supporting Iranian women, only to fraudulently use those signatures to seek government meetings for the Shah’s son. “This was wrong,” O’Loan declared, highlighting the incident as emblematic of the monarchists’ lack of democratic integrity. Tawakkol Karman provided historical context, drawing a direct line from the 1953 US-backed coup that removed the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh and installed the Shah’s iron-fisted rule, to the current crisis. She warned against Western attempts to “replace the dictatorial regime with the Shah regime again,” viewing it as a strategy to control Iran’s resources through external dependence. Lord Steve McCabe reinforced this, cautioning the media against being deluded by monarchist advocates and suggesting that if Reza Pahlavi truly wished to help Iran, “he should seek to return the millions that his father looted from the country.” Sihem Badi, former Minister of Women in Tunisia, summarized the collective stance: “The past is the past... We cannot reproduce the same regime with so much damage.” Support for the Iranian people’s protests and their vision Ultimately, the conference served as a solemn tribute to the staggering resilience and immense sacrifices of the Iranian people, who have faced unspeakable horrors in their unbroken quest for liberty. The sheer scale of the regime’s brutality during the recent uprisings was a focal point of moral outrage and international solidarity. Guy Verhofstadt recalled the horrifying human cost of the regime’s desperate attempts to maintain control, including the murder of thousands of people during the recent uprising. Senator Giulio Terzi added to this grim accounting, noting that “more than 300,000 have been wounded only during the last few months,” highlighting the raw physical trauma inflicted upon the young men and women who refuse to surrender their hope for freedom. Senator van Knapen: This plea for a reunion of all Iranians in a free, democratic, and peaceful state is what decent countries will support wholeheartedly. A majority of the Dutch population stands with you. #FreeIran10PointPlanhttps://t.co/O1ecGv1Q6O — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 15, 2026 Dutch Senator Frans Van Knapen expressed the shock felt by the global community at the violent suppression of the 2026 demonstrations, affirming that the people of Iran demand an active role in their own destiny rather than waiting for external forces or hereditary claimants to organize it for them. Edvard Solnes conveyed his horror at witnessing the mullahs’ government “shooting innocent people down in the street,” expressing bewilderment that European nations had not immediately severed all diplomatic ties in the face of such atrocities. The vision of the Iranian people, as articulated by the speakers, is profoundly modern, inclusive, and democratic. Esther Rodriguez and Sihem Badi placed special emphasis on the leading role of Iranian women, who have been at the forefront of the resistance against discriminatory laws and state-sanctioned misogyny. Rodriguez noted that the NCRI’s structure, where half of the members are women, is “not a symbol; this is a guarantee of a democratic future in Iran.” The dignitaries concluded that the Iranian populace, having endured the autocracy of the Shah and the totalitarian theocracy of the mullahs, possesses the political maturity, the organized structures, and the moral absolute right to reclaim their nation. The consensus was clear: the international community must honor the blood spilled in the streets of Iran’s cities not by imposing foreign solutions or recycling old dictators, but by recognizing the democratic Provisional Government and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a sovereign people on the threshold of a historic liberation.