On February 26, 2025, House Resolution 166, a bipartisan resolution backed by over 150 lawmakers was introduced during a hearing, signaling robust support for the Iranian people’s quest for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran. Spearheaded by Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), this resolution condemns the Iranian regime’s terrorism, regional proxy wars, and internal repression while endorsing the organized resistance led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Unveiled during a Congressional hearing titled “The Future of Iran,” hosted by the Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, the resolution and accompanying remarks from U.S. representatives underscore a strong bi-partisan support of the Iranian people’s quest for freedom and democracy.
Over 150 U.S. Reps back H. Res. 166, supporting Iran’s democratic aspirations via Rajavi’s 10-point plan, condemning regime terrorism, and calling for protection of Ashraf 3 residents. #FreeIran2025@RepNancyMace @RepMcClintock @RepCohen pic.twitter.com/opolE4JwKS
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) February 27, 2025
H. Res. 166: A Blueprint for Change
H. Res. 166, submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, explicitly condemns the Iranian regime as “a major source of terrorism and regional instability” over the past four decades. It highlights the regime’s violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, and its brutal suppression of protests—particularly those led by women and youth in 2018, 2019, and 2022. The resolution recognizes the Iranian people’s rejection of both monarchic and religious dictatorships, affirming their “inherent right to determine their political future” as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The document calls for accountability through sanctions and supports Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, which envisions universal suffrage, free elections, and a non-nuclear Iran. It urges the international community to recognize the rights of Iranian protesters and Resistance Units to confront the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a key repressive force. It also emphasizes protecting Iranian political refugees in Ashraf 3, Albania, aligning with the Geneva Convention and European human rights standards.
In a part, the resolution acknowledges that over 4000 “parliamentarians worldwide, including 243 bipartisan House members in Congress, the majority of 33 legislative assemblies, mostly in Europe, and over 130 former world leaders and 80 Nobel laureates have supported Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran that calls for universal right to vote, free elections, a market economy, and separation of religion and state, and advocates gender, religious, and ethnic equality, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, peace in the Middle East, and a nonnuclear Republic of Iran.”
Maryam Rajavi’s Testimony: Resistance Drives Liberation
During the hearing, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, delivered a compelling case for regime change. She dismissed negotiations as futile, quoting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s February 4, 2025, statement: “Negotiations are neither wise, nor intelligent, nor honorable.” Mrs. Rajavi argued that the regime has used talks to mask its nuclear pursuits and regional aggression. “The Iranian people’s desire and the only solution to the Iranian crisis is the regime’s overthrow and by the Iranian people,” she declared, stressing the necessity of an organized resistance over mere sanctions.
Mrs. Rajavi referred to the struggle of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and its Resistance Units, where “women play a pioneering role,” as Iran’s freedom fighters. She outlined the NCRI’s transition plan: a provisional government post-overthrow, lasting six months, to oversee free elections for a Constituent Assembly. “We are not seeking to seize power, but to transfer it to its rightful owners, namely, the people of Iran and their votes,” she affirmed, reinforcing her vision for a secular, democratic republic.
Lawmakers’ Voices: A Unified Call for Action
Representative Tom McClintock set an optimistic tone: “We can all sense that the tide is turning. The Iranian regime has become a pariah among the civilised nations of the world and a supreme source of misery, injustice and oppression for its own people… It’s not inconceivable to me that within the next few years we will be celebrating the liberation of Iran.”
Brad Sherman praised Mrs. Rajavi’s leadership: “I’m honored to be with Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance in Iran. This blood-thirsty regime occupying Tehran is a threat not only to all the people in Iran, but to the region and the world… I’ve been working with you for 28 years. And I say I’m going to work with you for another 28 years. But we’re going to get this done much, much sooner than that.”
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) lauded Mrs. Rajavi’s “tremendous leadership in this fight for freedom in Iran,” adding, “The examples of the heroism of the Iranian people, especially the women and young people, inspire us… The Iranian government’s reaction to these peaceful protesters of violence and the force is abominable and something we all oppose.”
Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) called Mrs. Rajavi “one of those people that inspires us all,” asserting, “The cause of a free Iran is, well, it’s living, it’s active, and it will succeed… A change in regime in Iran is a service to humanity, and we should not be shy about expressing that openly.”
Danny Davis (D-IL) said, “Every time I hear you, I am inspired. I’m what is called an activist all of my adult life.” Keith Self (R-TX) hailed her as a “courageous articulate leader,” warning, “When the regime feels threatened, their survival will be paramount.” Randy Weber (R-TX) urged action: “Iran is on its back heels… Now is the time, right? Come on, now is the time we strike.” Lance Gooden (R-TX) affirmed, “Mrs. Rajavi[’s] Ten-Point Plan is something that we have all been very supportive of for so many years… The American people stand with you.”
A Firm Policy Takes Shape
Mrs. Rajavi proposed concrete steps: activating the UN snapback mechanism, placing Iran under Chapter VII for threatening global peace, and recognizing the resistance’s fight against the IRGC. H. Res. 166 echoes these, condemning the regime’s atrocities—like the 1988 massacre of up to 30,000 political prisoners, mostly PMOI members—and supporting the Iranian diaspora’s efforts. With over 4,000 global parliamentarians backing Mrs. Rajavi’s plan, this resolution rejects past appeasement, aligning U.S. policy with the Iranian people’s aspirations.
A Democratic Horizon
H. Res. 166 and the Congressional hearing was a significant move, amplifying the Iranian resistance’s voice on Capitol Hill. With 151 lawmakers united, the U.S. is poised to support a democratic Iran, free from theocratic tyranny. Mrs. Rajavi’s leadership and the resolution’s bold stance offer a roadmap for change, making “Iranian regime change” and “NCRI support” key phrases in this historic narrative.