Positions & Statements
Mehregan, The Rite of Defying Darkness
For more than forty-six years, a dark-minded regime has deceived the world with lies and manipulation, while keeping us, the people of Iran, in chains of repression. During these long decades, our ancient homeland has been held hostage; national wealth has been plundered, and the daily lives of Iranians have been reduced to humiliation, poverty, illness, and hopelessness. Today, our nation stands on the brink of total collapse and a human catastrophe, where every day of delay means a darker future for us and for our children.
Now, the “snapback mechanism” is on the verge of activation. Put simply, this means the return of all international sanctions against the Islamic Republic—sanctions that are the direct result of its reckless adventurism and terrorist actions. In the coming days and weeks, the regime will attempt to downplay this development, distract with side issues, or drown it in propaganda, in order to shift the crushing consequences entirely onto the shoulders of the Iranian people. This has been the regime’s method since day one. Since the fall of the national government in the tragedy of 1979, the people of Iran—deprived of any true representation in power—have felt, to their very core, the deepening decline of their homeland.
The first step is awareness and safeguarding what we have left. The value of our national currency has been eroding steadily, but once the snapback is activated, it will collapse at an accelerated pace. Your rial savings in banks and financial institutions are at risk of being wiped out. We strongly advise you to immediately convert your assets into secure and lasting stores of value, such as U.S. dollars or gold. This is not only a defense of your family’s future—it is a way to ensure that at least part of the cost of the regime’s warmongering and terrorism does not fall upon your shoulders.
The Islamic Republic is a regime of darkness. But we, the people of Iran, have for millennia been a nation of light. It is no coincidence that thousands of years ago, Iranians celebrated Mehregan—a rich symbol of devotion to love and illumination. Mehregan marks the triumph of light over darkness and the chaining of Zahhak. Today, we honor this ancient festival by igniting the torches of struggle, and with our collective will to end the reign of the tyrants, we will keep alight the eternal flame of Iran’s Mehr—the echo of a nation that will no longer endure captivity.
Signatories:
Iran-e-Novin Party
Institute for the Promotion of Open Society
Organization for a New Order of Iranians (Irano)
Republican Association in Support of Prince Reza Pahlavi
Liberal Women’s Organization
Soldiers of Light Association
Ariamehr Foundation
Iranian Women in Europe for Secular Democracy
Group for Freedom
Monarchist Association of Iran – Switzerland
Rastakhiz Iran Association
Iran Rescue Front
Association of Iranians in Cyprus
Supporters of Prince Reza Pahlavi in Japan
Sepidar – Women’s Party of Iran
Scene of Freedom Group
Mehr-e-Iran Foundation
Association of Iranian Human Rights & Allies (UK)
National Party of Iran
Iranian National Unity Movement
Iran-Pad World Organization
Anahita Association
Gen Z Organization
Center for Open Dialogue and Development
Council for Iranian Unity
Nationalists of Hamburg
Civil Institution of Hope
Mehr-e-Mihan Organization
Joint Statement from Iranian Parties, Networks, Organizations, and Associations Regarding the Nationwide Strike of Drivers and Truckers in Iran
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the dire situation of Iranian truckers and the escalating nationwide protests that have emerged in Iran in recent days. We are submitting this letter to your esteemed
IRU (International Road Transport Union)
ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation)
AFL-CIO
Teamsters
UNITE HERE
LCLAA
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO
EUROPEAN TRADE UNIONS
ILOAsiaPacific
Asia Floor Wage Alliance
Oppressive working conditions, skyrocketing fuel and repair costs, unfair freight tariffs, lack of job security, and the suppression of labor organizing are among the issues that have pushed Iranian truck drivers to the brink of economic collapse. This vital segment of the country’s workforce has been struggling for years under the weight of economic injustice and the indifference of the Islamic Republic just to survive. But today, their struggle is no longer merely a labor dispute.
The current protests by truck drivers have clearly gone beyond professional demands and have explicitly and decisively turned into political protests against the entirety of the Islamic Republic regime. As a productive force within society, Iranian truck drivers are now loudly proclaiming the truth: the root of the crisis lies in the authoritarian and corrupt structure of the Islamic Republic. They are demanding an end to a system that has destroyed not only their livelihoods but also human dignity and the future of the country.
Under these circumstances, the existing labor organizations in Iran—which are supposedly responsible for defending the rights of workers such as drivers—have shown in practice that they operate entirely under the control of the Islamic Republic. The members of these bodies are not genuine representatives of the workforce, but political appointees of the regime, serving to monitor and suppress protests rather than support them.
Given these grim realities, we urge you to:
Conduct an independent and accurate investigation into the situation of truck drivers in Iran, and publish a comprehensive report on the violations of their political and labor rights, the suppression of protests, and the unequal economic conditions they face.
Use your international leverage to apply political and media pressure on the Islamic Republic in order to increase global support and provide a safer media space for Iranian truck drivers.
Hold accountable and sanction the Islamic Republic’s institutions responsible for the violation of workers’ rights and international transport norms.
Be aware that regime-controlled entities are trying to present a false and distorted picture of the truck drivers‘ situation to the international community. As representatives of the true voice of the protesters, we suggest that you engage in dialogue with the national opposition leader, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, to gain clearer insight and more accurate information.
We expect you, as in the past, to stand with the people and truck drivers of Iran by drawing on your experience and expertise in supporting oppressed labor groups in other countries. Your cooperation with the democratic opposition leader could be a meaningful step toward helping the Iranian people—including Iranian truck drivers—achieve their most fundamental and rightful demands.