Although Iran’s new president, Pezeshkian, claims to be a reformist, the execution toll in the country is reaching new records, and the explosion of regional conflicts is unpredictable. Beyond any claims, the Iranian regime has no solution to respond to the democratic demands of Iranian youth and women. It maintains its sovereignty through massive suppression and international conflicts. This regime is caught between the flames of regional war and the anger of its own people. Therefore, a better future under the new so-called “reformist” president is only a dream that will never come true. The reality of the situation inside and outside Iran is harsh.
The Head of the Snake
A closer look at recent developments in Iran and the region clarifies the urgent need for the Iranian regime to wield its iron fist to maintain its sovereignty. The regime’s destabilizing role has become evident with the ignition of war and escalating regional tensions. By expanding the war to regions such as Yemen and the Red Sea, and fueling conflicts through its militias, the Iranian regime is the head of the snake, vanishing any outlook for sustainable peace.
An Illegitimate Regime with No Support
The Iranian regime has lost all legitimacy within the country. The massive boycott of parliamentary and presidential elections in Iran was a blow to the face of the Ayatollah. During presidential campaigns, Pezeshkian admitted that only 8% participated in the parliamentary elections. According to the Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) observed 2,000 ballot boxes during the presidential elections and reported that only 9% of the eligible population participated. Therefore, Pezeshkian, more than anyone, knows he has no popular support and must fully obey the supreme leader’s will to continue his term. Pezeshkian’s weakness in forming the government is evident in disputes over the list of ministers.
In fact, “Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s new president, found himself positioned midway between Rouhani and Raisi. His cabinet represents a blend of criminal and corrupt elements from both Raisi’s and Rouhani’s administrations. From the outset, he claimed that his involvement stemmed from his concern over a looming threat to the regime—a threat that has intensified with the growing internal strife among the regime’s warring factions. Pezeshkian himself acknowledged that his primary objective was to implement Khamenei’s policies.” wrote Mrs. Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), on her X account.
Execution as a Tool of Suppression
According to Iran Human Rights monitoring, more than 80 people were executed in Iran in the past three weeks. Additionally, the secret execution of Reza Rasaei, a protester arrested during nationwide uprisings after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, was widely condemned internationally. Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, condemned these atrocities on her X account, stating, “Extremely concerned about the alarming number of executions in #Iran. The Iranian people need to get their fundamental rights respected. Belgium opposes the death penalty in all cases and calls on Iran to join the worldwide consensus towards universal abolition.” Amnesty International condemned the execution of Reza Rasaei in the strongest terms, and the UN Human Rights Office highlighted the tragic execution of 29 individuals in one day in Iran.
Such brutal suppression highlights the significant challenges the Iranian regime faces in maintaining its rule. It also indicates the fact that as in the past four decades, no moderation or reform could be expected as long as the country is ruled by the Supreme Leader.
The Path Forward
In sharp contrast to the religious dictatorship, the overarching aim of the Iranian people remains the dismantling of Khamenei’s regime and the cessation of executions, with the ultimate goal of establishing a democratic republic. These are the values that every democratic country supports and stands by. Therefore, the European Union has a clear responsibility to support the Iranian people in ending these atrocities with concrete actions, such as designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization and recognizing the fight of the Iranian youth and their resistance units against the crimes and atrocities of the regime’s suppressive forces.
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