Neither crown nor turban: Resistance Units rally for a democratic republic of Iran

2026-03-14 - 15:34

On March 13, 2026, the PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan resumed their anti-regime activities, braving growing repressive measures and threats by regime security forces amidst wartime conditions. The brave activists took to the streets holding placards that reiterated their unwavering commitment to overthrowing the clerical regime. Their core message emphasized the establishment of a democratic republic that rejects all forms of dictatorship. Sending a clear message that the Iranian people will not accept a return to past tyrannies, activists held up signs reading, “No to mullahs, no to shah, yes to democratic republic,” and “This is the greatest battle and greatest test to put an end to 100 years of tyranny and bring freedom and a democratic republic.” March 13—Zahedan, southeast Iran PMOI Resistance Units resumed anti-regime activities despite the growing repressive measures and threats by regime security forces. The Resistance Units reiterated their commitment to overthrowing the regime and establishing a democratic republic... pic.twitter.com/P9xlXvet4D — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 14, 2026 Rejecting the illusion of hereditary dictatorship The clerical regime was recently brought to its knees during massive nationwide uprisings from December 2025 to January 2026, only managing to hold onto power through the massacre of thousands of protesters. On February 28, 2026, the regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike. The subsequent appointment of his son, Mojtaba, as his successor laid bare the reality that the mullahs operate a hereditary dictatorship identical to the ousted monarchy. The Resistance Units in Zahedan addressed this directly, holding up banners stating, “The son of Khamenei and the son of the Shah are of no use to anyone,” and “The sovereignty of the Iranian people is not the inheritance of mullahs and shah.” As another placard warned, “A dictator is a dictator, whether with a turban or a crown.” "The son of Khamenei and the son of the Shah are of no use to anyone" pic.twitter.com/MMuT4ABg3m — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 14, 2026 The announcement of the Provisional Government As the Middle East plunged into renewed military confrontation and foreign strikes hit the regime’s military and nuclear infrastructure on February 28, 2026, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) announced the formation of a Provisional Government. This declaration aims to lead the country through a transitional period following the overthrow of the theocracy. The political foundation of this Provisional Government is Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, which mandates the total dissolution of the regime’s suppressive apparatus, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It completely rejects absolute clerical rule in favor of a republic founded on universal suffrage, gender equality, and a non-nuclear Iran. The activists in Zahedan championed this alternative, proudly displaying signs that read, “The NCRI and the provisional government does not seek power. It seeks to transfer power to the people,” and “Viva the democratic republic and the Provisional Government based on the Ten Point Plan of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.” "The NCRI and the provisional government does not seek power. It seeks to transfer power to the people." pic.twitter.com/3pzKOP9E9B — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 14, 2026 Self-determination and protecting the nation With explosions echoing across Iran due to the clerical regime’s illicit nuclear and missile programs—which the Iranian Resistance first exposed three decades ago—NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi released an urgent message focusing on the safety of citizens. She called on the Resistance Units to “care for civilians and the general public, particularly children and the elderly.” Furthermore, Mrs. Rajavi firmly declared that Iran’s future cannot be dictated from the outside. “I declare to the international community that only the people of Iran possess the legitimacy to determine the political future of their country,” she stated. Reaffirming the core stance of “Neither Shah nor Mullahs,” she warned against remnants of monarchical fascism seeking to hijack the democratic revolution. The Zahedan youth echoed this sentiment on their banners: “The hijackers of the sovereignty of the Iranian people are tyrants and thieves, no matter what cover they use.” "The democratic republic and the Ten-Point Plan are the opposite of religious tyranny and monarchic fascism" pic.twitter.com/O5fHP7cawT — People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 14, 2026 The path forward belongs to the Iranian people The courageous demonstrations in Zahedan demonstrate that despite wartime conditions and severe domestic repression, the Iranian people remain steadfast in their pursuit of freedom. As one Resistance Unit placard highlighted, “The force of change that determines the future of the people of Iran are the Resistance Units and the National Liberation Army and an organized uprising.” By rejecting both the turban and the crown, the people of Iran are actively paving the way to throw both regimes into the dustbin of history, standing united for a peaceful, free, and democratic republic.