In a French heatwave thebattle for change in Iran heats up
I’VE just been to France for the weekend in what was said to be their hottest day of the year so far covering a peace summit organised by the Iranian opposition in exile, the NCRI – not the first time I’ve been to one of their events, but possibly the hottest in every way.
There seemed to be a new mood of optimism around the gathering that the exiled group, led by Maryam Rajavi, may make progress in their bid to end the theocracy that holds a very tight grip on their citizens, and thinks nothing of frequently executiing those who stray out of line.
Police in Paris cancelled the rally on Saturday citing security fears, including a bomb threat – nobody I spoke to believed the claim and a fairly large number or Iranians did turn out for the march, but had a run-in with French police.
The actual meeting took place on the outskirts of Paris, without the demonstrators, and speech after speech condemned the mullahs who govern – or terrorise Iran.
Among the many speakers was former UK defence secretary Liam Fox, who said there will be no peace in Iran as long the country’s current regime remains in place, telling the gathering that a ceasefire in the country “is not a conclusion, but a pause”.
He said the cause of the conflict lay solely with the regime in Tehran: “It is a depraved, murderous and barbaric group, drugged by its own perverted ideology and willing to use any means possible to maintain its bloody grip on power.”
The West had no cause to think that the wolf may lose its teeth, but never its appetite.
“Thousands of people died in Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Gulf Arab states, and millions were displaced across the region. No part of the Middle East has escaped, Fox told the Free Iran International Summit, that it had never been simply a regional conflict as the moment Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, it drove up oil prices “in every economy on earth”.
He said the reopening of the strait under the US memo of understanding (MOU) with Iran had offered some relief, adding: “Energy disruptions of this magnitude do not reverse overnight.
The world has been reminded brutally of its dependence on a narrow waterway … What an easy weapon they have.
“They must be told now, unequivocally, no right of blockade, no right to fees, no breaking of international maritime law and the international community must be willing to face down the challenge by international force if necessary or face anarchy on the high seas.”
Fox said the suffering of ordinary Iranians was constantly overlooked: “They didn’t choose their supreme leader, they didn’t choose their nuclear program, they didn’t choose the regime’s decades of confrontation with the West, but sadly, they are paying the price for it.
“The conflict triggered rapid leadership transition and internal instability while civilians experienced mass displacements, infrastructure damage, internet blackouts, and severe restrictions of daily life with reports of deteriorating humanitarian conditions, increased oppression, and limited access to basic services.
“And, worst of all, the inhuman programme of executions by the regime has continued as the world watches. Young lives snuffed out to send a political message.”
Donald Trump had called on the Iranian opposition to take over the government, a decision that was for summit organisers the NCRI to make.
And Fox had a final message: “Please let’s stop talking about the Iranian regime as some sorts of religious authority.
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Even to call them religious extremists gives them some of the legitimacy that they crave. for theirs is religion without decency … tolerance, mercy, compassion, the love of their fellow men and women, it is not religion at all.”
Rajavi told the gathering: “We are not seeking to seize power. We are prepared to transfer power from the tyrannies of the Shah and the Mullahs to its rightful owners – the people of Iran.
“After 61 years of struggle this is the noblest summit and the highest aspiration before us.”
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