The Persian year 1404 (which began on March 21, 2025) came to an end for the people of Iran after many ups and downs, giving way to the year 1405 (starting March 21), a year that from the outset carries the sense of transformation and inevitable victory. The past year began with a widespread and continuous wave of more than 4,200 protests and labor strikes by workers, retirees, teachers, and those affected by economic plunder, and in January it turned into a nationwide uprising. During this year, Iran’s streets—from the capital Tehran to the smallest towns—became arenas of direct confrontation with the entirety of Iran’s regime.
At the heart of these confrontations, two driving forces shook the foundations of the mullahs’ regime: first, the “leading role of Iran’s courageous women,” who with remarkable bravery led the front lines of the uprising and challenged the repression apparatus; and second, the organized and fervent presence of “rebellious youth.” By taking initiative, they directed public anger toward the seizure of government centers and governor’s offices. The significant growth of anti-repression activities by these youths showed that the era of passivity has ended. In response to this wave, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei attempted to suppress the uprising by cutting communication networks and unleashing bloodshed, but the chants of “This year is a year of blood, Seyed Ali will be overthrown” demonstrated that this repressive strategy has been completely defeated. The continuation of 172 consecutive weeks of protests in Zahedan (a major city in Sistan and Baluchestan province) is also a clear symbol of this resistance and awakening.
The climax of this episode was described as occurring in the early hours of February 23, when a major operation referred to as “Flaming Hammer,” involving an attack by 250 supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) on the residence of Ali Khamenei in central Tehran, was presented as historic. This confrontation was portrayed as rejecting the notion of cost-free change and appeasement strategies, asserting that the only path to liberation is organized and forceful uprising.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its proposed provisional government are presented as bearers of peace and freedom for Iran’s future. In this context, the stated fundamental and non-negotiable positions of the Resistance are as follows:
- Firm rejection of any foreign military intervention; the overthrow of this government will be achieved solely by the Iranian people and “rebellious youth.”
2. The necessity of dismantling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), described as the main instrument of repression, destruction, and terror.
3. A plan for a provisional government during a six-month transition period, aimed at peaceful transfer of power, restoring stability, and holding fully free elections.
4. Rejection of both dictatorships (monarchy and clerical rule) and insistence on absolute popular sovereignty.
Over the past year, resistance campaigns inside the country were connected with extensive support from supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran worldwide. The holding of 1,585 gatherings, demonstrations, and exhibitions across five continents conveyed both the plight and the strength of the Iranian people to the international community. The demands raised in these campaigns, including closing the embassies of the regime, freeing political prisoners, and halting executions have now become formal demands in international forums.
The bloodshed in the streets is portrayed as guaranteeing the inevitable victory of the people. It is asserted that the time has come for the international community to recognize the will of the Iranian people and acknowledge a democratic provisional government for Iran.
