In a gathering of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) on October 6, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Iranian uprising and expressing solidarity with the brave Iranians who have fought against the oppressive regime. Pompeo praised the resilience and sacrifice of the Iranian people, acknowledging the atrocities committed by the regime to suppress their voices.
“We are here to mark a special anniversary, and I of course want to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of so many brave Iranians over the past year. The brutal regime has committed a great many atrocities to silence their voices,” he said.
Pompeo emphasized the importance of supporting the opposition movement within Iran and recognized the significant progress made over the past year.
“We will never forget the responsibility we have to support what you are doing inside of that country,” Secretary Pompeo said. “I last spoke to you back in July, just three months ago, and yet much has happened since then. It’s a short time, but yet one year after the beginning of the uprising, the regime is in a complete deadlock. It has no way out of the crisis, the conflict between the people and the government, which in fact in those 90 days has only intensified.”
Pompeo stressed that despite the regime’s attempts to quell civil unrest through executions, repression, imprisonment, and torture, the people’s determination has only grown stronger.
“The civil unrest has become more powerful. The regime responded with more executions, more repression, more imprisonment, more torture, exactly what one would expect from a scared set of leaders. This has indeed deepened the divide between the regime and its people, just as we know it would,” he said. “I believe with all my heart for the Iranian people and the resistance informed and encouraged by the folks in this room today is stronger than they are.”
The former Secretary of State highlighted the shared objective of establishing a democratic and free republic in Iran, free from dictatorship.
“We, each of us, everyone around the world must recognize what these uprisings are aimed at. They’re aimed at a democratic, free republic of Iran that is devoid of any form of dictatorship. That’s our objective. Everyone here shares that goal,” he said.
He asserted that the regime is destined to fail and that lasting change can only be achieved by those who have dedicated themselves to the cause over many years.
“First, no matter what the regime does, it is doomed to fail. Second, even as important, change in Iran can only be achieved by those who have been working toward it for decades, those who have paid the price for it and contain the organizational structure to accomplish that objective,” he said.
Pompeo praised the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) for its growing capabilities and its role in impeding the regime’s brutal tactics.
“The organized resistance led by the MEK, every day is increasing its capability. It is delivering an even bigger push. Your work has made it far more difficult for the IRGC to inflict its brutal terror and mayhem on the people of Iran,” Pompeo said.
He acknowledged the organization’s efforts in organizing rallies near the United Nations.
“You all, the MEK, and your supporters have organized rallies abroad, too. One such rally, numbering in the thousands, happened on September 19th. It took place just across the street from the United Nations, protesting Raisi’s visit and in support of President Rajavi and her Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran,” he said.
Pompeo stressed that appeasement has been a major obstacle to ending Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism.
“That appeasement has been and remains the biggest outside obstacle to ending Iran’s state-sponsored terror, its rogue regional behavior, and its support for the Iranian people’s desire to struggle to bring about change in Iran,” he said. “Appeasement will not work.”
Pompeo expressed concern over the Biden administration’s decision to provide six billion dollars in appeasement to Iran.
“Six billion dollars of appeasement. More evidence that the Biden administration’s recent decision to pay to get Americans home to their families, something that I worked so hard to do for so long,” he said. “We know this. There is zero chance this money is going to benefit the Iranian people. None. You all know this. And they’ll use this money to go after Iranian dissidents both outside of the country and inside of the country. Six billion dollars to fund its brutal oppression of the organized resistance inside of Iran.”
Furthermore, Pompeo revealed that individuals within the United States government took directives from the Iranian regime’s former Foreign Minister Zarif and his associates.
“We now know that operating inside the United States government were people working on behalf of the United States ostensibly, but who were taking guidance from Foreign Minister Zarif and his henchmen inside of Iran,” he said. “This policy to which we have returned, not just to America, but to large European powers as well, it’s totally counterproductive. Iran’s newfound wealth, we’ll see it in the months and years ahead, it’ll fund terror abroad and oppress people at home.”
Pompeo stressed that it is time for the West to listen to the real voice of the Iranian people.
“Listen to the voices of the Iranian people. In over 280 cities across all 31 provinces of Iran, they have rejected the ruling theocracy and made clear that the mullahs are not a permanent feature of this nation,” he said. “Chants, chants like you all have said here today of down with the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Ayatollah, we do not need dictators.”
In conclusion, Pompeo emphasized the importance of supporting the resistance movement both inside and outside of Iran:
“As we seek to support the resistance movement inside Iran and out, we must consider what the future should hold for Iran, what it should look like, and what is it we want. Everyone here wants freedom for the Iranian people. Let’s talk about how we can achieve it, how we can build something that can not only replace the regime but do so in a way that is lasting and secures freedom for everyone inside of that beautiful nation.
“As I’ve said before, Iran will never return to the dictatorship of the Shah, nor will it settle for the current theocracy in Iran. The remnants of the past monarchy have failed to gain any traction during the uprising over the past year. The Shah’s supporters were exposed when they heavily relied on collaboration with the IRGC. What Iran needs is something that looks and feels like the people in this room. People who simply want freedom for all. A governance model that is reflective of the people’s will. We don’t need dictatorships. We need freedom.
“It’s our moment. It’s the time. I’m confident. Our ask should be simple. We should ask every leader to support the brave Iranians who are inside of the country and who stand daily at great risk to themselves and their families against this theocracy. We’ve seen what happens in one year, a year of powerful, unyielding protests. These protests ride on the backs of those who have gone before them, forty years of organized opposition to Iran.”
