Exclusive Interview — Simay Azadi
On the sidelines of the Free Iran Convention 2025: Defining the Roadmap for Iran’s Democratic Transition, held on November 15, 2025, in Washington D.C., Simay Azadi conducted an exclusive interview with the Rt. Hon. John Bercow, former Speaker of the UK House of Commons.
In this interview, Mr. Bercow criticized the policy of appeasement towards the Iranian regime, calling for a firm, principled international strategy that treats Tehran as a “pariah failed state.” He also addressed MEK supporters inside Iran directly, praising their bravery and reaffirming his unwavering support for their struggle for democracy and freedom.
The Washington convention brought together many Iranian American scholars, professionals, human rights advocates, youth, and community leaders from across the United States—joined virtually by supporters and dignitaries worldwide. The gathering examined Iran’s rapidly shifting internal landscape and the growing momentum for democratic transition, emphasizing the central role of youth, women, and organized Resistance units in shaping Iran’s future.
Read the full text of the interview below.
Interview Transcript — Simay Azadi
INTV Reporter: Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard you in the past criticize the policy of appeasement towards the Iranian regime. What would the right policy be for the international community to follow?
John Bercow:
“The right policy is for the international community to shame the Iranian government, not to accord it respect, not to consider that it is an equal player on the field, but instead to treat it as a pariah failed state that is an abomination.
So it should be subject to the most severe sanctions. It should be shamed in all international fora. And it should be, if necessary, diplomatically bludgeoned into accepting that the future must be decided by the Iranian people and no one else.”
INTV Reporter: And if you have one message for MEK supporters in Iran, what would that be?
John Bercow:
“I say to MEK supporters across Iran, in all 31 provinces, I admire you, I revere you, I think of you constantly, and I will support you always.
Every time I have the opportunity, I want to trumpet the message for democracy, freedom, and the rule of law in Iran. And I want you to know, as resistance fighters, that you are true heroes, that you will never be forgotten, and that nothing will ever succeed in stopping you, in destroying your will, or in crushing you.
I know you guys well enough to know that the word bravery could have been invented to encapsulate what you do. You are very, very, very special people. You are homegrown. You are on the ground. You are in your communities. You believe in freedom. You will not rest until you achieve it.
If I, coming from a very fortunate position, living in a democracy, can use my profile and voice to support you, that is what I want to do.
My biggest ambition in relation to the freedom fighters of Iran and the NCRI—so magnificently, heroically, courageously, brilliantly, inspirationally led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi—is to be able to go to Iran to join in the celebrations when this bestial dictatorship is relegated to the dustbin of history, and the people of Iran can choose who leads them.”