February 11 marks the 47th anniversary of the 1979 anti-monarchy revolution in Iran. Though Iranians aspired to democracy, clerics seized power, establishing one of the most repressive dictatorships in modern history. Yet, the Iranian people have never abandoned their fight for freedom and democracy. Over the decades, they have built a formidable resistance movement, led by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
Since the 1980s, the NCRI has been at the forefront of the call for regime change in Iran. Despite immense obstacles, it has remained steadfast in its mission, shaping its actions around the goal of a free and democratic Iran. Now, on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, the NCRI is organizing a major rally in Paris on February 8 at Denfert-Rochereau to reaffirm the democratic aspirations that inspired the revolution.
Tens of thousands of Iranians from all around Europe, including Belgium, will join the rally, urging European governments to recognize the Iranian people’s right to regime change and self-defense against the regime’s brutal repression. Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian Prime Minister, is among the prominent figures who will address the gathering.
Yet, one crucial question remains: Should We Expect a Revolution in Iran in 2025?
Regional Shifts and Domestic Unrest Create an Opportunity for Change in Iran
The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has exposed the vulnerabilities of Iran’s ruling theocracy, which failed to maintain its strategic foothold in the region. Today, the inevitability of regime change in Iran is widely acknowledged. The balance of power in the Middle East has shifted against the mullahs, significantly weakening their ability to leverage blackmail diplomacy on the international stage.
For decades, Western appeasement policies enabled Iran’s rulers to expand their proxy forces, push their nuclear program to the brink of weaponization, and fuel terrorism and hostage-taking as a profitable enterprise, violating international laws and undermining global stability. Now, it is time for the international community to adopt a policy of firmness toward Iran’s clerical regime.
On the other hand, the Iranian regime remains incapable of addressing the democratic demands of its people, resorting instead to an iron fist to maintain control. In 2024, the government broke its own record for brutality, executing at least 1,000 people. Among them were nine political prisoners, including protesters from the 2022 uprising.
Death sentences continue to be issued at an alarming rate. The cases of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, two political prisoners affiliated with the PMOI/MEK, sparked international outrage. Though their executions have been temporarily halted, their lives remain in imminent danger.
With growing regional isolation and intensifying domestic resistance, Iran’s ruling theocracy stands at a breaking point. The question is no longer whether change will come, but how soon—and whether the world will stand with the Iranian people in their fight for freedom.
While the transition of power after a revolution presents significant challenges, Iran’s democratic opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has outlined a clear and structured path toward a democratic transition which has been embraced globally.
At the heart of this vision is the Ten-Point Plan of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s president-elect. This framework guarantees fundamental human rights for every Iranian and envisions a democratic republic based on: Gender equality, Abolition of the death penalty, An independent judiciary, A non-nuclear Iran, etc.
A New EU Policy towards Iran
In the current climate, the responsibility to lead Iran toward freedom and democracy lies with the Iranian people and their democratic opposition. The international community must also rise to its moral duty by embracing the values of human rights and standing in solidarity with the Iranian people in their pursuit of regime change.
While the future remains uncertain, one truth is clear: the fight for freedom and democracy will only conclude when the people have overthrown all dictators and embraced a future grounded in liberty and justice.
Dear reader,
Opinions expressed in the op-ed section are solely those of the individual author and do not represent the official stance of our newspaper. We believe in providing a platform for a wide range of voices and perspectives, even those that may challenge or differ from our own. We remain committed to providing our readers with high-quality, fair, and balanced journalism. Thank you for your continued support.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. Eurotoday publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
Leave a Reply