A turning point in the global narrative on Iran was marked in Rome on July 12, 2023. At the center stage stood Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), seizing the moment to call for a new policy on Iran. As she addressed the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the air buzzed with anticipation of a decisive chapter in Iran’s quest for democracy.

The discourse was deeply focused on Iran’s future, which is in the throes of a nationwide uprising yearning for transformation. Mrs. Rajavi, the torchbearer of this change, urged Italy to spearhead a firm policy initiative regarding the Iranian regime within the European Union.

Afterwards, Mrs. Rajavi made her case before a bipartisan audience from Italy’s Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, attended by senators like Giulio Maria Terzi, Lucio Malan, and Gisella Naturale and representative Emanuele Pozzolo, alongside former Italian Prime Minister Carlo Cottarelli. The center of the discussion was Mrs. Rajavi’s 10-point plan for a democratic Iran.

“A few days ago in Paris, during a major global summit, I heard what felt like a death knell for the regime in Tehran. It was rung. Because when there is such strong, decisive, and heartfelt international participation and support … one should start to worry! Because these are its final days and the final era of a bloody regime that has spilled so much blood up to now, repeatedly trampled on human freedom and dignity… It is attacking the West and the free world. So, we are united, we are friends, we are together in this struggle, and we must do more and more of this work,” stressed Mr. Pozzolo, a member of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mrs. Rajavi, in her passionate speech, urged the Italian Parliament, its citizens, and government to uphold this principled stance, recognizing the Iranian people’s relentless struggle to dismantle the religious dictatorship. She acknowledged the uprising as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Resistance movement and the heroic contribution of Iranian women over the past 40 years.

“The regime of the mullahs has proven unable, and will continue to be unable, to quell the ongoing waves of uprisings. This is primarily due to two key factors. First, the regime’s incapacity to implement any meaningful reforms, as economic and social mismanagement persist on an immense scale, exacerbating the volatile social situation with each passing day. Second, there exists an organized resistance movement that harnesses the widespread public discontent, with the aim of toppling the regime. The Iranian Resistance has successfully established its networks across all 31 provinces and numerous cities in Iran. Without exception, the dedicated Resistance Units operate diligently, day after day, playing a decisive role in organizing and leading the uprisings,” the NCRI president-elect underscored.

This landmark meeting was not an insular event. The sentiments voiced in the Italian Parliament echoed globally, as over 3,600 lawmakers across 40 countries, including the U.S., UK, and France, endorsed a statement recognizing Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI as a viable and legitimate democratic alternative to the Iranian regime.

Former UK House of Commons Speaker John Bercow acknowledged the remarkable courage of the Iranian people and Mrs. Rajavi, urging the world to recognize Rajavi’s 10-point plan as a blueprint for Iran’s brighter future. He also condemned the policy of appeasement, which he said the West had erroneously pursued. Bercow emphasized the necessity of supporting the Iranian people’s quest for freedom and democracy, rejecting any notion of reform under the current regime based on his own longstanding awareness of the situation in Iran.

Parallel to the events in the Parliament, hundreds of Iranians echoed their support for Mrs. Rajavi outside, illustrating the broad domestic backing for a democratic Iranian republic. The resonance of the 10-point plan far transcends the boundaries of Iran, aligning with the core values of Western democracies.

The commitment to the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi is gaining momentum, fueled by the unwavering struggle of the Iranian people and the organized resistance movement and now significantly fortified by global endorsements. The voice of Iran is now resonating with increasing clarity and intensity. Its unequivocal message calls for a secular, democratic republic, a rejection of all forms of dictatorship, and a future where no individual enjoys privilege over others on the grounds of religion or birthright. The world is now not just listening but also amplifying this call for a better Iran.