On a chilly Saturday in Paris, Feb. 8, 2025, the air was charged with the fervent hopes of thousands of Iranians, who marked the 46th anniversary of the Shah’s overthrow not merely as a historical reflection, but as a clarion call for a new revolution. This assembly, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), wasn’t just a rally but a potent declaration against tyranny and a manifesto for democracy and freedom in Iran.

Drawing thousands from Iranian diaspora communities and garnering substantial international support,the colorful and enthusiastic rally and march transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, uniting voices from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from 320 Iranian associations spanning Europe, North America, and Australia, as well as members of various nationalities, such as Kurdish, Baluch, and Arab communities, in a chorus calling for the Iranian regime’s end.

It was not just a protest but a profound display of solidarity against oppression. They voiced a unified demand for the overthrow of the Iranian clerical regime and the establishment of a democratic republic.

The rally’s keynote speaker was Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI, who addressed the crowd via video. Her speech was not just a tribute to the Iranian people’s monumental anti-monarchical revolution of Feb. 11, 1979, but also a powerful assertion of the inevitability of the mullahs’ downfall. “Yes, neither Shah nor Sheikh — long live the Iranian people’s democratic revolution!”

Rajavi’s assertive declaration at a massive gathering of Iranians and international supporters that “the clerical regime’s demise has arrived” underscores a pivotal shift in the Iranian resistance movement. This change is fueled by a profound collective discontent against Iran’s current regime — a sentiment that resonates deeply on a global scale.

She painted a picture of a regime beset on all sides — not just by the external pressures of sanctions and diplomatic isolation but more critically by internal dissension and a society seething with discontent and defiance.

Rajavi’s bold proclamation —“With or without negotiations, with or without nuclear weapons, the uprising and overthrow await you (regime)!” — underscores the resistance’s readiness to end the era of theocratic rule. Her invocation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasized the fundamental right to resist oppression, positioning the Iranian struggle within a global context of fights for freedom and dignity.

This event was significant not only in its size and scope but in the clarity of its message. The NCRI has articulated a vision for a future Iran that prioritizes human rights, democracy, and international cooperation. This vision is laid out in Rajavi’s Ten-point Plan, which proposes a secular, democratic government — a stark contrast to the current theocratic regime.

The international dimension of the rally was highlighted by several prominent figures, including Guy Verhofstadt, former prime minister of Belgium, and Ingrid Betancourt, alongside members of the French National Assembly and Senate. 

Verhofstadt’s declaration of 2025 as the year of transformation for Iran was particularly poignant. Drawing parallels with the fall of Assad in Syria, he outlined a clear strategy against the Iranian regime’s manipulations, especially regarding its nuclear ambitions.

“The mullahs’ regime tries to obtain nuclear weapons to threaten the West and to end the sanctions. The policy of appeasement must end,” he asserted, calling for a resolute policy that includes reinstating U.N. sanctions and recognizing the Iranian Resistance as the legitimate representative of the Iranian people.

Former Colombian Sen. Ingrid Betancourt emphasized the broader implications of the Iranian struggle, linking it to global efforts against tyranny. She passionately condemned the regime’s human rights abuses, including its notorious tactic of taking hostages to use as bargaining chips in international negotiations. Her speech resonated deeply, highlighting the shared global responsibility to support those who fight for freedom.

The rally’s resolution was a direct challenge to the international community, urging a reevaluation of engagement with Iran. The demands were clear: end the policy of appeasement, support the Iranian resistance, take tangible steps to curtail the regime’s capacity for oppression, particularly its nuclear ambitions, and officially designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

This event in Paris was a moment of solidarity and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Iranian resistance. It was a powerful reminder that the struggle for freedom is both a right and a responsibility, demanding not just national but global support.

The voices raised in Paris echoed a clear and resounding message: the days of the clerical regime are numbered, and a new chapter for Iran, characterized by democracy, justice, and prosperity, is on the horizon. The international community must now rise to support this pivotal movement, recognizing and aiding the legitimate aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom and self-determination.

Ambassador Kenneth Blackwell was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission under the George H.W. Bush administration.