Italian lawmakers, former senior international officials, and representatives of the Iranian opposition gathered at the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome on July 16 for a conference examining Iran’s political crisis, regional tensions, and international policy toward Tehran.
Held in the Chamber’s Regina Hall under the title “Iran’s Crisis: The Democratic Path Forward,” the event brought together members of Italy’s parliament alongside international political figures and Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Throughout the conference, speakers called for continued pressure on the Iranian government, maintaining the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and abandoning what they described as years of Western appeasement. Several participants also rejected any return to monarchical rule in Iran, presenting a democratic republic as the alternative they support.
Delivering the keynote address, Maryam Rajavi argued that the Iranian regime remains in power through domestic repression, regional intervention, and pursuit of nuclear capabilities. She said these elements are interconnected and have prevented both stability inside Iran and broader regional peace.
Presenting the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan, Mrs. Rajavi described it as a framework for establishing “a democratic republic based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the abolition of the death penalty,” while advocating for a non-nuclear Iran committed to peaceful international relations.
Mrs. Rajavi also rejected the prospect of restoring the former monarchy, saying such proposals run counter to the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. Instead, she emphasized the role of the organized Resistance Units, describing them as the movement capable of bringing political change inside the country.
She argued that European governments have overlooked an important element in their Iran policy by failing to recognize the Iranian people and organized opposition as a political factor.
“As long as this regime remains in power, the region will never see peace and tranquility,” Mrs. Rajavi said, adding that economic engagement would not alter Tehran’s regional policies. She concluded by urging European governments to recognize what she described as the Iranian people’s desire for democratic change.
Naike Gruppioni, a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee and organizer of the conference, welcomed Mrs. Rajavi and described her political platform as a democratic vision for Iran’s future.
Gruppioni praised Mrs. Rajavi’s continued advocacy for democratic governance, describing the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as “a clear and credible political proposal for a free, pluralistic Iran that respects human dignity.”
She also argued that international silence regarding Iran’s human rights situation carries political consequences and called on democratic governments to translate support for human rights into concrete political action.
Former New York City Mayor and former U.S. Federal Prosecutor Rudy Giuliani also addressed the conference, expressing support for the NCRI and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as what he described as the principal democratic alternative to the current government.
Giuliani criticized proposals advocating the restoration of the monarchy, dismissing the political role of the late Shah’s son while contrasting it with what he described as decades of organization and sacrifice by the Iranian Resistance.
He praised Mrs. Rajavi’s proposed transition framework and the Ten-Point Plan, highlighting its provisions concerning civil liberties and women’s rights. Giuliani also argued that Western engagement with Tehran had failed to produce meaningful political change and maintained that organized domestic opposition represents the decisive factor in confronting the government.
He further stressed the importance of political backing from democratic governments, saying public support for the Iranian Resistance across Europe and North America would strengthen efforts challenging the Iranian authorities.
Italian MP Fabio Rampelli focused on security and human rights issues during his remarks. Referring to investigations conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Council, he cited reports of arrests and executions in Iran while also criticizing Tehran’s regional policies.
Rampelli pointed to Iran’s military support for Russia during the war in Ukraine, its backing of armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region, and activities affecting international shipping routes. He argued that these developments demonstrate the broader international implications of Iran’s regional policies.
Former Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, who currently chairs the Italian Senate’s EU Policies Committee, criticized continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran, arguing that such policies have failed to change the government’s behavior.
Terzi also rejected suggestions of a return to monarchical rule, stating that the Iranian opposition represented by Mrs. Rajavi offers a stronger reflection of the aspirations expressed by many Iranians seeking political change.
He praised the MEK for its organizational resilience and argued that European policy should recognize the movement’s role in Iran’s political landscape.
Senator Marco Scurria drew historical comparisons between Iran’s current political situation and the collapse of authoritarian systems in Europe, suggesting that sustained public resistance can eventually overcome entrenched governments.
Addressing Iranians inside the country and members of the diaspora, Scurria said that aspirations for freedom could not be permanently suppressed, expressing support for those advocating democratic change. He concluded by commending Mrs. Rajavi and the Resistance Units for what he described as their perseverance.
Former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy closed the conference by framing developments in Iran primarily as a human rights issue. He criticized previous diplomatic initiatives toward Tehran, arguing that negotiations had repeatedly failed to produce lasting results.
Kennedy called for continued international support for Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI, and the Resistance Units operating inside Iran. Comparing the current situation to previous historical transformations, including the end of apartheid and the fall of the Iron Curtain, he expressed confidence that political change in Iran remains possible.
Concluding his remarks, Kennedy voiced solidarity with the Iranian people, ending his speech with the words, “I am Iranian.”
Across the conference, speakers consistently emphasized three themes: continued opposition to policies they described as appeasement toward Tehran, support for maintaining pressure on the IRGC, and backing for a democratic republic as the political future they envision for Iran. While participants represented different political backgrounds and countries, their remarks centered on the role of organized opposition movements and the importance of aligning international policy with support for democratic change in Iran.
