Paris, February 8, 2025 – Thousands of Iranians and supporters of the Iranian Resistance gathered in Paris to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, demanding an end to dictatorship in Iran. The event, a powerful show of defiance against the ruling theocracy, underscored the growing momentum for democratic change.
Among the speakers at the rally was Jean-François Legaret, former mayor of Paris’s 1st district and president of the Foundation for Middle East Studies. A strong advocate for the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom, he emphasized that the regime in Tehran is not as invincible as it claims and that now is the time to intensify support for the Resistance.
I spoke with Legaret at the event, where he reaffirmed his commitment to the Iranian people’s fight for democracy and human rights.
‘The Fall of the Shah Proves That This Regime Can Also Fall’
“The rally today is symbolic. It marks the anniversary of the fall of the Shah’s tyranny 46 years ago. Under the Shah’s dictatorship, the Iranian people were oppressed. Today, they are still oppressed. They endure barbarism, tyranny, arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions,” Legaret said.
Just as Iranians overthrew the Shah, he emphasized, they will overthrow the mullahs.
“We must bring down the Mullahs’ regime just as the Shah’s regime was brought down. That is why we are all gathered here today. And things are changing. The fall of Assad has significantly weakened the Mullahs’ regime. They depended on each other, and now, this regime is crumbling. The Iranian uprising is growing stronger. We must support this resistance with all our strength—until victory.”
‘France Must Stand With the Resistance’
I asked Legaret about the alarming increase in executions in Iran, where over 1,000 people were put to death in 2024 alone, many under the so-called “moderate” president. What should be France’s and Europe’s response?
“France symbolizes human rights and the abolition of the death penalty. I believe that all those who defend republican values in France must stand behind Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan because it embodies and defends the same democratic principles.”
His Speech at the Rally: ‘The Regime is Weak, and the World Must Act’
Earlier at the rally, Legaret expanded on his remarks, stressing that the Iranian regime’s grip on power is weaker than it appears.
“The downfall of the Assad regime was a turning point. It sends a clear message to the people of Iran that the regime is weak both inside the country and across the world,” he declared.
Legaret also urged international support for Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, calling it a roadmap to democracy in Iran.