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Democracy movements in Iran and its diaspora comprise a diverse range of dissidents, political and cultural leaders, and militants working for regime change, with new constitutional frameworks and transition plans proposed.

Calls for regime change have escalated, since the 2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt through the 2017–2021 Iranian protests to the present, including notable episodes Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 protests and Bloody Aban protests and crackdown.[relevant?] During the protests which occurred in Iran as a response to the death of Mahsa Amini, the chant Woman, Life, Freedom (Kurdish: Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, ژن، ژیان، ئازادی) became widely used, a Kurdish slogan used in both the Kurdish independence and democratic confederalist movements.[1][2][3][4]

The US House Resolution 100 has broad bipartisan support for the 10 point plan put forward by the National Council of Resistance of Iran's leader Maryam Rajavi, which calls for the universal right to vote, free elections, and a market economy, and advocates gender, religious, and ethnic equality, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, and a nonnuclear Iran.

A summit of prominent diaspora opposition leaders recently presented a vision for Iran's future at a summit in Washington, which included Reza Pahlavi, who has pledged his support for the peoples will. He has long advocated for free elections to form a constituent assembly that could determine the future form of governance in Iran. Of the more than 390,000 supporters of a change.org petition declaring Pahlavi "my representative", many emphasized that they only backed him as an “interim figure” who could bring about a democratic transition away from the Islamic Republic, not to restore the fallen monarchy.[5] Invited to speak on Iran's future at the 59th Munich Security Conference[6], one of Pahlavi's cohorts denounced the MEK/NCRI. The International Business Times comments that he has no expereince, and is trying to "pluck the fruits of others labor".[7] The NCRI has denounced the son of the former Shah. The MEK Spokesperson called on him "to first return the billions of dollars his father stole from the nation, denounce the atrocities committed by his grandfather and father and distance himself from the IRGC and the Basij, which he had previously praised as guardians of Iran’s territorial integrity and law and order in society".[8]

Twenty independent Iranian trade unions, feminist groups and student organizations published a Joint Charter with a list of 12 minimum demands.

Mousavi's Call for A Referendum

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Former prime minister and reformist leader of the Green Revolution, Mir Hussein Mousavi put out a call 3 February 2023, for a referendum and end to clerical rule.[9] Signed by over 400 political activists and journalists, the statement said, "With the current social awakening, and the society’s disillusionment with reforms within the current [political] structure, there is no other way than allowing the people to decide their own destiny." Expressing its support of Mousavi’s three-stage proposal and a “peaceful and non-violent transition” to a democratic government and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” Movement.[10] Although not supporting regime change, he supports calling a constituent assembly, and a new constitution.

According to Iran International he "seemed to reject reform as an alternative, urguing fundamental change." And "implicitly repeated what exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has been saying for years, and other opposition activists have echoed in the past five months – transition from the Islamic Republic."[11] Pahlavi has embraced Mousavi's call for a new constitution, and says that the opposition must be "big tent" willing to embrace defectors. According to Al Arabiya the opposition is "stronger and more unified than ever".[12]

Mousavi announced that "he no longer supports the current Islamic Republic constitution", and asked for a widespread referendum to fully change the constitution and make a fundamental change in Iran's political system.[13] Among many leading dissidents who publicly endorsed Mousavi’s call for a referendum, Iran’s top Sunni cleric, Mowlavi Abdolhamid stated, “With his recent statement, Mousavi showed that he understood the realities of society. It’s time for other politicians and ulema (religious scholars) to think about saving the country and see the facts.”[14]

2023 "Future of the Movement" Summit and Joint "Mahsa Charter"

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The future of Iran’s democracy movement was a conference hosted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS).[15][16] The Joint charter was released in early march, on a website for the group that now styles itself the "Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran" (ADFI), and declares this to be the "Woman, Life, Freedom revolution".

Attending the summit meeting were 8 prominent diaspora leaders of the movement: actresses Nazanin Boniadi and Golshifteh Farahani, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi, activists Masih Alinejad and Dr. Hamed Esmaeilion; former soccer captain Ali Karimi, former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, and Kurdish leader Abdullah Mohtadi. They claim to represent the country's "democracy movement".

Mr. Pahlavi insists that whoever Iranians then elect in a free and open referendum is up to them, saying, "The role that I'm offering in this process of transition is to be of help to maintain a smooth process — to maximise the participation of democratic forces in this process."[17]

This effort received some attention from the press,[18][19][20] and are seeking support from the international community.[21]

Trade Unions Joint Charter

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A joint charter with a list of 12 "minimum demands” has been published and signed by twenty independent Iranian trade unions, feminist groups and student organizations.[22][23] Signatories include:

  • The Coordinating Council of Iran's Teachers Trade Unions
  • The Free Union of Iran Workers
  • The Union of Free Students
  • The Center for Human Rights Defenders
  • The Syndicate of Workers of Nishekar Heft Tepeh Company
  • The Organization Council of Oil Contractual Workers’ Protests
  • Iran Cultural House (Khafa)
  • Bidarzani
  • The Call of Iranian Women
  • The Independent Voice of Ahvaz National Steel Group Workers
  • The Labor Rights Defenders Center
  • The Kermanshah Electric and Metal Workers’ Union
  • The Coordination Committee to help create labor organizations
  • The Union of Pensioners
  • The Council of Pensioners of Iran
  • The Progressive Students Organization
  • The Council of Free-Thinking Students of Iran
  • The Alborz Province Painters’ Syndicate
  • The Committee to Follow up on the Creation of Labor Organizations of Iran
  • The Council of Retirees of the Social Security Administration (BASTA)

2023 U.S. House Resolution 100

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House Resolution 100 was introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., expresses Congress’ support of a democratic, secular and non-nuclear republic. There are 75 Democrats signed onto the resolution, among 222 members of the 435-member House.[24]

The resolution voices “support for the opposition leader Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan for the future of Iran, which calls for the universal right to vote, free elections, and a market economy, and advocates gender, religious, and ethnic equality, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, and a nonnuclear Iran.”[25]

2022 Free Iran World Summit

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The 2022 Free Iran World Summit was a three-day international event 22-24 July, and featured speeches by many foreign dignataries. Advertised speakers were:

2021 Free Iran World Summit

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The Free Iran World Summit was an international event dedicated to liberating Iran from its oppressive leadership and paving the way for a free and democratic Iran.[26] It was supported by the OAIC[citation needed] and NCRI.

Foreign dignitaries in attendance included: Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia, Michael Pompeo, former US Secretary of State (2018-2021), Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister of Canada; former Foreign Ministers for France, Italy, and Poland; and Defense Ministers of United Kingdom and France. and included speeches by 30 US lawmakers, including Senators Robert Menendez, Ted Cruz, Roy Blunt; and Congressmen Kevin McCarthy, and Hakeem Jeffries.[27][28]

2020 Free Iran World Summit

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In a virtual gathering during COVID-19 Pandemic, Iranians and 1000 current, former officials, international dignitaries, and bipartisan lawmakers, "called on the world community to adopt a more resolute policy".[29]

U.S. House Resolution 374

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The HR 374 introduced in 2019 is a bill with broad bipartisan support, Condemning Iranian state-sponsored terrorism and expressing support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic of Iran

It offers support for National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) leader Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan for a future Iran - including a universal right to vote, market economy and a non-nuclear Iran.[30]

It has 221 lawmakers backing it, and was introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock who said in a speech to the OAIC, “There is a reason why a strong bipartisan majority in the United States House of Representatives has come together to co-sponsor this resolution condemning Iran’s terrorist acts,” McClintock said. “It’s because the world is watching the struggle for freedom in Iran, and it is cheering for your cause," observing that Iranian citizens have “taken to the streets and the airwaves” to protest against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime, which he said has “lost any claim to legitimacy.”[31]

Organized Resistance Groups

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National Council of Resistance of Iran

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The National Council of Resistance of Iran is recognized as the diplomatic wing of the MEK, People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, opposing the Islamic Republic.[32][33][34]

They have articulated a Constitutional platform.

A majority of members of the US House of Representatives backed a “bipartisan resolution” in June 2020 supporting Maryam Rajavi and the NCRI's “call for a secular, democratic Iran” while “condemning Iranian state-sponsored terrorism”. The resolution, backed by 221 lawmakers, gave support to the Rajavi's 10-point plan for Iran's future (which include “a universal right to vote, market economy, and a non-nuclear Iran”) while calling on the prevention of “malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions.” The resolution also called on the U.S. to stand “with the people of Iran who are continuing to hold legitimate and peaceful protests” against the Iranian government.[35][36]

Organization of Iranian American Communities

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The Organization of Iranian American Communities is allied with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, or the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), which advocates the overthrow of the government of Iran.[37][38][39]

The OIAC does not support a foreign war, nor does it support an appeasement policy towards Iran. More specifically, OIAC supports the 10-point plans by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi[40] for a democratic Iran that aligns with security for America and peace in the Middle East and beyond. OIAC works in collaboration with all Iranian-Americans and concerned citizens across the country to achieve its mission and vision. OIAC holds yearly protests outside the United Nations building against Iranian Presidents[41] and at times outside the White House "in solidarity with protesters in Iran".[42][43] According to Joanne Stocker, "the Organization of Iranian American Communities have played a crucial role in securing broad, bipartisan support in the United States for the opposition group by successfully portraying the group as a democratic, human rights-supporting alternative to the current regime."[44]

Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan

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The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), is an armed leftist ethnic party of Kurds in Iran, exiled in northern Iraq.[45] It is banned in Iran and thus not able to operate openly.[46]

The group calls for self-determination of Kurdish people[47] and has been described as seeking either separatism[48][49][50] or autonomy within a federal system.[45][51]

Since 1979, KDPI has waged a persistent guerrilla war against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.[45] This included the 1979–1983 Kurdish insurgency, its 1989–1996 insurgency and recent clashes in 2016.

National Council of Iran

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The National Council of Iran, according to The Observer, serves as Reza Pahlavi's government in exile in order to reclaim the former throne after overthrowing the current government.[52] It has also been described as an organization that profiles him as "the new president of Iran".[53]

The "self-styled"[53] National Council claims to have gathered "tens of thousands of pro-democracy proponents from both inside and outside Iran."[54] It also claims to represent religious and ethnic minorities.[55] According to Kenneth Katzman, in 2017 the group which was established with over 30 groups has "suffered defections and its activity level appears minimal".[56]

Protests 2016 - Present

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2016 Cyrus the Great revolt

2017–2021 Iranian protests[relevant?]

Bloody Aban protests and crackdown[relevant?]

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 protests[relevant?]


2017–2021 Iranian protests[relevant?]

Mahsa Amini protests#Historical Background[relevant?]

Historic Antecedents

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Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI), or Liberation Movement of Iran (LMI) is an Iranian pro-democracy political organization founded in 1961, by members describing themselves as "Muslims, Iranians, Constitutionalists and Mossadeghists".[relevant?]

Ruhollah Khomeini was exiled in 1964 for opposing the shah's monarchist rule, he later became the Supreme Leader of Iran after the 1979 revolution.[relevant?]

Mohammed Mossadegh was democratically elected, but overthrown in the 1953 Iranian coup d'etat instigated by the U.K. and assisted by the U.S. CIA[relevant?]

Criticism

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Remarking on the initial international response to the Tehran protests, Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad said, "The first group who came to the streets were women of Afghanistan, can you believe that? The Western feminists who actually went to my country, wore a hijab, and bowed to the Taliban—they didn’t take to the streets.”

“Most of them have never gone and lived under Sharia law,” she said of Western feminists. “And they don’t even let us talk about our own experiences.

Here they tell me, ‘Shh! If you talk about this, you’re going to cause Islamophobia.’ Phobia is irrational, but believe me my fear and the fear of millions of Iranian women is rational.”[57]

Bibliography and References

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  • "Iran exiled opposition figures in talks to unite against government". Reuters. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-12.[relevant?]
  • "Prominent Iranian Opposition Figures Pledge Unity, Urge World Support". Iran International. Retrieved 2023-02-12.[relevant?]
  • "Gauging the future of Iran's democracy movement". Democracy Digest. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-12.[relevant?]
  • Sherrill, Clifton (2011). "After Khamenei: Who Will Succeed Iran's Supreme Leader?". Orbis. 55 (4): 631–47. doi:10.1016/j.orbis.2011.07.002.[relevant?]

Notes

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  1. ^ Dirik, Dilar (2022). The Kurdish Women's Movement: History, Theory, and Practice. Pluto Press.
  2. ^ Bocheńska, Joanna (2018). Rediscovering Kurdistan's Cultures and Identities: The Call of the Cricket. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 47.
  3. ^ Çağlayan, Handan (2019). Women in the Kurdish Movement: Mothers, Comrades, Goddesses. Springer Nature. p. 197.
  4. ^ Bayram, Seyma; Mohtasham, Diba (27 October 2022). "Iran's protesters find inspiration in a Kurdish revolutionary slogan". University of South Florida. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  5. ^ Dagres, Holly (2023-01-24). "Can Reza Pahlavi help unite the Iranian opposition? A hashtag is suggesting so". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  6. ^ "Woman, Life, Freedom: Visions for Iran - Munich Security Conference". securityconference.org. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  7. ^ McColm, R. Bruce (2023-03-05). "In Iran, Why The Son Of A Deposed Dictator Is Not The Answer". International Business Times. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  8. ^ Writer, Staff (2023-01-22). "Selling a Dead Horse: Reza Pahlavi's Bid to Market a Trashed Dictatorship". NCRI. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  9. ^ "Sunni Leader Lauds Call For Referendum By Former Iran PM". Iran International. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  10. ^ "Hundreds Of Activists Support Mousavi's Call To End Clerical Rule". Iran International. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  11. ^ "Opposition Figure In Iran Calls For Fundamental Change, New Constitution". Iran International. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  12. ^ "Mousavi deserts Iran's regime". Al Arabiya English. 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  13. ^ "میرحسین موسوی خواهان قانون اساسی جدید و تشکیل مجلس موسسان «برای نجات ایران» شد". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  14. ^ Bijan Ahmadi, Opinion Contributor (2023-02-17). "From reform to revolution: What is the future of Iran's democracy movement?". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-03-14. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ "Prominent Iranian Dissidents Unite to Discuss Democracy Movement". VOA. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  16. ^ "The Future of Iran's Democracy Movement". GIWPS. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  17. ^ "Why the exiled crown prince of Iran thinks the Islamic Republic is coming to an end". ABC News. 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  18. ^ "Women, Life, Freedom | History Today". www.historytoday.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  19. ^ Bijan Ahmadi, Opinion Contributor (2023-02-17). "From reform to revolution: What is the future of Iran's democracy movement?". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-03-04. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ Security, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and (2023-02-17). "The Future of Iran's Democracy Movement". Ms. Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "How to Support Iran's Democracy Movement". Freedom House. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  22. ^ "Trade Unions Issue Charter Of Minimum Demands". Iran Wire. 16 February 2023.
  23. ^ Dagres, Holly (2023-02-23). "Iran's 'women, life, freedom' revolution has a manifesto. Here are the next steps". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  24. ^ Shaw, Adam (2023-03-09). "Resolution backing secular, democratic Iran republic picks up majority bipartisan support in House". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  25. ^ "McClintock Introduced House Resolution With Over 160 Co-sponsors in Support of a Free, Democratic, and Secular Republic in Iran". Congressman Tom McClintock. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  26. ^ "Free Iran World Summit 2021". Iran Freedom. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  27. ^ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Rhetoric from 'Free Iran' summit strikes nerve, sparks regime's ire". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-03-11. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  28. ^ "The Free Iran World Summit 2021". NCRI. 2021-07-10. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  29. ^ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Free Iran Global Summit". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-03-11. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  30. ^ Shaw, Adam (2020-06-17). "Majority of House members back resolution supporting Iranian opposition, condemning regime's terror". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  31. ^ "'The world is watching': Lawmakers tout bipartisan resolution condemning Iran". Washington Examiner. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  32. ^ Cohen, Ronen A. (2018), "The Mojahedin-e Khalq versus the Islamic Republic of Iran: from war to propaganda and the war on propaganda and diplomacy", Middle Eastern Studies, 54 (6): 1000–1014, doi:10.1080/00263206.2018.1478813, S2CID 149542445
  33. ^ Kenneth Katzman, Document No.9 Iran:U.S. Concerns and Policy: Responses, CRS Report RL32048, in Kristen Boon, Aziz Z. Huq, Douglas Lovelace (eds.) Global Stability and U.S. National Security, Oxford University Press, 2012 pp.297-383 p.317.
  34. ^ Sasan Fayazmanesh, The United States and Iran: Sanctions, Wars and the Policy of Dual Containment, Routledge, 2008 pp.79,81.
  35. ^ "Majority of House members back resolution supporting Iranian opposition, condemning regime's terror". Fox News. 17 June 2020.
  36. ^ "'The world is watching': Lawmakers tout bipartisan resolution condemning Iran". 17 June 2020.
  37. ^ Lipin, Michael (17 March 2018). "US Senators Pledge Help to Iranian Group Seeking End to Iran's Islamist Rule". VOA. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  38. ^ Gharib, Ali; Clifton, Eli (26 February 2015). "Long March of the Yellow Jackets: How a One-Time Terrorist Group Prevailed on Capitol Hill". The Intercept. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  39. ^ Ackerman, Spencer (19 September 2018). "Giuliani to Speak Beside Leader of Accused Iranian 'Cult'". Daily Beast. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  40. ^ "Maryam Rajavi | President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)". Maryam Rajavi. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  41. ^ Protesters Rally Against Iranian President at United Nations by REBECCA GIBIAN, Associated Press; 20 September 2017
  42. ^ Demonstrators gather at White House to support Iranian ‘liberty, democracy’; By Dick Uliano, WTOP-FM, 6 January 2018
  43. ^ Laipson, Ellen (January 9, 2018). "The Foreign Policy Aftermath of the Iran Protests, in Tehran and Washington".
  44. ^ "The White House Once Labeled Them Terrorists. Now They're Being Called Iran's Next Government". Haaretz.
  45. ^ a b c Buchta, Wilfried (2000), Who rules Iran?: the structure of power in the Islamic Republic, Washington DC: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, pp. 102, 104, ISBN 978-0-944029-39-8
  46. ^ United Kingdom: Home Office, Country Information and Guidance - Iran: Kurds and Kurdish political groups, July 2016, Version 2.0, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/578f67c34.html [accessed 18 March 2017]
  47. ^ Martin Van Bruinessen (20 July 1986). "Major Kurdish Organizations in Iran". Middle East Research and Information Project. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  48. ^ "Iranian Kurds Return to Arms". Stratfor. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  49. ^ "Freedom House", Freedom in the World 2011: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2011, p. 321, ISBN 9781442209961
  50. ^ Alex Peter Schmid; A. J. Jongman (2005). "Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran". Political terrorism: a new guide to actors, authors, concepts, data bases, theories, & literature. Transaction Publishers. p. 579. ISBN 978-1-4128-0469-1.
  51. ^ Prunhuber, Carol (February 18, 2012). "QĀSEMLU, ʿABD-AL-RAḤMĀN". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. Bibliotheca Persica Press. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  52. ^ Parker Richards (29 January 2016). "Pahlavi, Elie Wiesel, Rev. King to Be Honored for Promoting Peace". Observer. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  53. ^ a b Maciej Milczanowski (2014), "US Policy towards Iran under President Barack Obama's Administration" (PDF), Hemispheres: Studies on Cultures and Societies, 29 (4), Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures Polish Academy of Sciences: 53–66, ISSN 0239-8818
  54. ^ Jon Gambrell (9 April 2017). "Iran's long-exiled prince wants a revolution in age of Trump". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 9 April 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  55. ^ Sonia Verma (6 June 2014). "Shah's son seeks support for people's revolution against Iran". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  56. ^ Kenneth Katzman (2 June 2017), Iran: Politics, Human Rights, and U.S. Policy (PDF), Federation of American Scientists, p. 27, retrieved 16 June 2017
  57. ^ "Self-centered feminists have forgotten the women of Iran". 2023-03-11. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
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