Dictators can never crush the spirit of a nation yearning for freedom

Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

History has consistently demonstrated that no matter how heavily armed or technologically advanced oppressive forces may be, they cannot defeat a well-organized movement rooted in its people and fighting for the ideals of freedom. The fall of the Syrian dictatorship stands as proof of this—just as the Nazis failed to extinguish the fire of the French Resistance.

In recent years, a new phenomenon has emerged in the Iranian people’s fight against tyranny: the Resistance Units. These units, affiliated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the main Iranian opposition force, have matured into a formidable force. For over a decade, the Iranian regime has worked relentlessly to prevent the international community from learning about these Resistance Units, which operate across the country. Despite the regime’s brutal efforts—including the imprisonment and execution of thousands of members—these units continue to grow in both size and effectiveness, becoming a powerful force of change.

A Brief Overview of the Resistance Units in Iran

Each Resistance Unit is composed of individuals from diverse walks of life: students, workers, intellectuals, doctors, nurses, businessman, and former political prisoners. These brave individuals, fully aware of the risks, are willing to sacrifice their lives to confront the oppressive machinery of the Iranian dictatorship.

For the past 45 years, the Iranian regime has survived by relying on rampant violence and repression. Backed by an extensive network of intelligence, military, and security organizations, the regime has sought to create an illusion of invincibility, insisting that no internal or external force can challenge it.

Through proxies and missile programs, the regime has extended its reach of terror across the Middle East, using extraterritorial terrorism and nuclear threats to intimidate neighboring countries. The regime’s fear campaign has also targeted Europe, spreading terror through both direct and indirect means.

“We will win because we are stronger.”

Yet, the Resistance Units have risen up against this fear. Every day, through symbolic and practical acts of defiance—such as setting fire to regime symbols, writing slogans on walls, and displaying banners in public spaces—they have struck at the regime’s carefully constructed facade of invulnerability. These courageous acts have ensured that fear does not take root in society.

The members of the Resistance Units echo the words of French Jean Moulin and other historical heroes of resistance: even when the enemy appears invincible, resistance and unity can pave the way for victory. Their success thus grew significantly during what can be called the “The October 7 middle east war.”

The October 7 War: Khamenei vs. the New Generation and Women

In recent years, the global spotlight has focused on two major uprisings in Iran. The protests of 2019 showcased the power and determination of Iran’s post-2000 generation, while the 2022 uprisings highlighted the unparalleled courage of Iranian women.

Khamenei understood the message of these uprisings: he could no longer suppress this generation. In an attempt to forestall another uprising that could threaten his regime’s survival, Khamenei initiated what has come to be known as the “October 7 War.” However, this strategy backfired catastrophically. The war led to consequences the regime could not contain: the fall of the Syrian dictatorship, the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah, and more—leaving Khamenei on the brink of collapse.

Structure of the Resistance Units

The Resistance Units were formed in 2014 by the Internal Network of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These units are often called the Generation of Principled Resistance, representing a continuation of the same generation that, during the summer of 1988, steadfastly refused to renounce their commitment to freedom and democracy.

These individuals rejected the backward ideology of Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Tragically, following Khomeini’s infamous fatwa, 30,000 political prisoners—90% of whom were members of the MEK—were executed. Despite this horrific loss, the Resistance Units have kept the flame of rebellion alive in Iran.

International Impacts of the Resistance Units

The Resistance Units have prepared the ground for the realization of plans set forth by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the democratic alternative to the current regime. These units also dispel regime propaganda that claims Iran would descend into chaos, like Syria, after the fall of the dictatorship.

The slogan of the Resistance Units boldly proclaims: “We are stronger than executions and massacres.”

Key Achievements of the Resistance Units (2024)

• In February, prior to the parliamentary elections, the Resistance Units launched an election boycott campaign in Tehran and across Iran by writing slogans on walls, installing banners, and other activities in cities nationwide. Their efforts resulted in over 90% of people in Tehran refusing to participate in the elections, with most of the votes coming only from soldiers, prisoners, and similar groups under regime pressure.

• On International Women’s Day (March 8), the Resistance Units in cities such as Tehran and many others emphasized the pivotal role of Iranian women in the uprising against the misogynistic regime by installing posters, writing slogans on walls, and widely promoting the slogan “Woman, Resistance, Freedom.” They used banners, graffiti, and distributed leaflets in public spaces. Additionally, they circulated Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan, which highlights secularism, economic justice, gender equality, a non-nuclear Iran, the abolition of the death penalty, freedom of expression, and democracy.

• In May, the Resistance Units carried out more than 3,000 activities across Iran, commemorating the victims of the 1988 massacre by installing banners and writing slogans on walls. They reaffirmed that “The pursuit of justice will continue until the regime is overthrown.”

• In June, coinciding with the large-scale Free Iran Gathering in Paris and other European cities, the Resistance Units conducted 10,000 activities, including installing banners, distributing leaflets, and writing slogans on walls with messages like “No to Shah, No to Mullah” and promoting Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan for Iran’s future. Furthermore, 20,000 video messages in support of the Free Iran Gathering 2024 were sent from Iran, doubling the record of the previous year.

• In August, the Resistance Units directly challenged the regime’s wave of executions. They declared: “29 executions in one bloody Wednesday are Khamenei’s harsh retaliation against the Iranian people.” Through their activities, they asserted: “We are stronger than executions and massacres.” The units also organized campaigns in several cities to protest death sentences issued against six political prisoners accused of being members of the MEK.

• In memory of the 2019 uprising, the Resistance Units coordinated 100 activities, including slogan-writing, graffiti, and the installation of banners in public spaces to break the wall of fear.

• On the anniversary of Bloody Friday in Khash (a city in Baluchistan), the Resistance Units commemorated the event. During Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to the region, they chanted slogans such as “Pezeshkian, leave—Baluchistan is not your place” and “Zahedan has no place for criminals.”

• In December, in reaction to the oppressive “Hijab and Chastity” law, the Resistance Units displayed large banners in several cities with the slogan “Woman, Resistance, Freedom.” In Zahedan, protesters held demonstrations carrying placards that read: “The fall of Syria’s dictator heralds the collapse of religious fascism in Iran.”

From their inception to the present day, the Resistance Units remain a beacon of hope for freedom in Iran and a powerful force against tyranny.

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