The Iranian regime is facing crisis after crisis and has been severely weakened over the course of the past few months. One of its biggest threats, and fears, is the Iranian Resistance which is growing in strength and numbers. It has unprecedented support which became evident at its latest annual “Free Iran” gathering in Paris which took place at the beginning of July. 

At the gathering, hundreds of former senators, parliamentarians, prominent politicians and human rights advocates gave speeches. In reference to claims that the Iranian regime needs a chance to reform from within, the speakers pointed out that this will never happen.

In a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that there would be a “peaceful transition” of power in Iran with the help of elements inside the country. On top of this, there was an almost unanimous Senate vote regarding a bill named “Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017”. The bill condemns the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile program, its destabilising activities in the Middle East and its human rights violations. 

This is the first time in decades a US Secretary of State has spoken so explicitly about regime change. It is also the first time that there has been such a strong support – 98 out of 100 votes – for a bill regarding Iran’s belligerence.

On Friday, July 7th, after Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended their first in Hamburg, a US official said, “The United States, Russia and regional countries reached a ceasefire deal in southwestern Syria.” His statement was made in reference to Iran and its consent to a ceasefire that went into effect Sunday, July 9.

Over recent months drastic changes that affect Iran have occurred.

•With the election of Donald Trump, legislation has been called for to impose new economic sanctions for Iran’s support for terrorism and its development of ballistic missiles.

•Additionally, Iraqi troops and Syrian rebel groups backed by U.S. forces have pushed back ISIS.

Speakers from different countries, from political and academic backgrounds, formed three panels to discuss Iran and the problems its regime poses for the region, and the for world.  They met in Paris, during the run up to the ‘Free Iran’ Rally hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), on July 1st.

Last Saturday a massive rally was held by the Iranian opposition in Paris where a solution was offered to the conflict in an already war-torn region. The Free Iran gathering was attended by tens of thousands of Iranians and hundreds of politicians, parliamentarians, religious leaders and activists from across the world. The presence of this enormous crowd suggests that the prospects of democratic regime change are becoming more and more viable.