Date: April 30, 2024
Location: Washington, D.C.
In a significant and groundbreaking event, the Alliance Against the Islamic Regime of Iran (AAIRIA) hosted a press conference in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2024, shedding light on the pervasive and relentless terrorist activities of the Islamic Regime of Iran. This conference brought together victims and survivors, each bearing personal testimonies to the regime’s far-reaching brutality, highlighting an urgent need for international action.
The discussions at the conference underscored a stark warning: as long as the Islamic regime of Iran remains in power, none of us is safe anywhere in the world. This highlights the global threat posed by the IRI’s policies and actions. The regime’s extensive proxies network and history of sponsoring terrorist activities not only jeopardize regional stability but also pose a direct challenge to international security. IRI’s actions, from undermining governments to sponsoring proxy wars, illustrate a pattern that demands a coordinated and robust international response to safeguard global peace. So long as the Islamic regime of Iran holds power, the shadow of insecurity extends across the globe, leaving none of us truly safe.
Opening Remarks:
Lawdan Bazargan, AAIRIA director, opened the conference with compelling remarks about the unchanged tactics of the Islamic Regime over the past 45 years, from suppressing Kurdish leaders to targeting journalists like Fardad Farahzad and his colleague Pouria Zeraati, whom unknown assailants recently stabbed in London. Bazargan emphasized, “We gather not just to recount our sorrows but to renew our call for justice against a relentless tyranny.”
Speakers’ Testimonies:
Kajal Haji Abbasi delivered a moving account as the widow of Fattah Abdoli. She described her devastating loss when her husband was assassinated in the notorious Mykonos Restaurant attack in Berlin. Kajal’s story illustrated the ongoing impact of state-sponsored terrorism, emphasizing the personal pain inflicted by such acts. “Each day, we live with the echoes of their brutality,” Kajal shared solemnly.
Golaleh Sharfkandi, niece of another Mykonos Restaurant victim, Dr. Sadegh Sharfkanid, spoke passionately about the need for justice and the importance of remembering those silenced by terror. “We speak their names to fight the silence that follows the terror,” Golaleh asserted.
Parviz Dastmalchi, a survivor of the Mykonos Restaurant assassinations, shared his miraculous story of survival and his commitment to activism, which highlights the resilience of those who resist tyranny. “Survival is not just about living through an attack; it is about how we live after,” Parviz stated firmly.
Roxana Levinson spoke on behalf of the broader community affected by the regime, including her relatives killed in terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires in 1992 and 1994. Her testimony connected regional atrocities to the global implications of Iran’s policies. “The regime’s reach does not respect borders; our response must be equally boundless,” Roxana declared.
Fardad Farahzad, a renowned anchor for Iran International, recounted a chilling episode where he was the target of an assassination plot by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. This incident, planned as a car bomb in the UK, underscored the regime’s threats to critics worldwide. Fardad discussed the broader impact of the regime’s actions, particularly on the younger generation. He expressed concern that the fear instilled by these threats might discourage aspiring journalists, potentially diminishing the field’s hope and inspiration. “Our pen is our weapon against their oppression,” Fardad noted gravely.
Conclusion:
The AAIRIA press conference not only exposed the atrocities committed by the Islamic Regime of Iran but also rallied support for those affected. The testimonies provided a compelling call to action, urging global powers to recognize and respond to the threat posed by this regime. The speakers’ stories highlighted the human costs of inaction and the pressing need for justice and accountability.
For further details and conference coverage, please contact the Alliance Against the Islamic Regime of Iran (AAIRIA).
