As the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York from September 23 to 29, 2025, Iran finds itself at a critical juncture. The regime in Tehran is facing two converging crises: a looming nuclear confrontation and a horrifying surge in executions, now at their highest level in two decades. In response, thousands of Iranian expatriates, joined by international dignitaries and human rights advocates, will rally outside UN headquarters to demand global recognition of a fundamental truth: Tehran’s nuclear defiance is inseparable from its campaign of domestic repression.
Their message is clear and urgent: the only lasting solution to Iran’s crisis lies in supporting the Iranian people’s vision for a democratic republic.
This year’s UN session coincides with a 30-day countdown to the reimposition of UN sanctions — the so-called “snapback” mechanism — triggered by the UK, France, and Germany in response to Tehran’s continued obstruction of IAEA inspections.
Despite last-minute diplomatic overtures, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrive in New York with little hope of averting renewed sanctions. The regime’s nuclear ambitions remain unchecked, and its record of deception is well documented. “It has been proven the mullahs have not abandoned their atomic project,” warned Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the principal Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). She called on European powers to act decisively, not only to curb the nuclear threat but also to hold the regime accountable for its human rights abuses.
On September 23, NCRI supporters will gather outside the UN alongside Western lawmakers and prominent voices from civil society. Their protest will shine a spotlight not only on the nuclear file but also on the regime’s escalating brutality — particularly the execution of political prisoners, including members of the opposition.
The rally in New York comes shortly after tens of thousands gathered in Brussels on September 6, echoing the same call for justice, accountability, and democratic change. The momentum of these global demonstrations reflects a growing consensus: the time has come to stand with the Iranian people. In July, two prisoners were hanged. Fifteen more are on death row under vague and arbitrary charges such as “enmity against God,” a term routinely used to silence dissent.
These chilling developments evoke haunting memories of the 1988 massacre, when approximately 30,000 political prisoners — mostly affiliated with the oppositional group— were executed in a matter of weeks. That atrocity, long condemned by international legal experts as a crime against humanity, has never been prosecuted. Today, the same machinery of repression continues to operate with impunity.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned Iran’s execution spree as a deliberate strategy to instill fear and suppress opposition. Following the nationwide uprising in 2022, more than 850 people were executed in a single year. That number climbed to nearly 1,000 in 2024, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. The victims include not only political dissidents but also ethnic minorities, women, and young protesters — many of whom were denied fair trials and subjected to torture.
Yet, despite these grave violations, world leaders have largely remained silent. The UN General Assembly, a global platform for diplomacy and accountability, must not turn a blind eye to this reality. The Iranian people deserve more than rhetorical support; they need concrete action.
The NCRI has long maintained that regime change must come from within Iran, rejecting both foreign military intervention and the failed policy of appeasement. For years, Rajavi and other opposition leaders have argued that firm international pressure — especially when sanctions are tied to human rights accountability — is the only path to meaningful change. The protests in New York will amplify this call only by confronting Tehran’s repression, terrorism, and nuclear ambitions as interconnected threats can the international community help end executions and support democratic transition.
The stakes for Iran’s people are existential. Their voices — silenced at home but echoing abroad — must be heard on the world stage. The rally in New York is not merely a protest; it is a declaration of resolve, a demand for justice, and a vision for a free Iran. It is a call to the conscience of the international community: stand with the people, not the perpetrators.
The Iranian youth, in particular, have emerged as a powerful force for change. Despite brutal crackdowns, they continue to challenge the regime’s legitimacy, risking their lives to demand freedom, equality, and dignity. Their courage has inspired a global movement of solidarity, and their aspirations must be reflected in international policy.
As the UN General Assembly deliberates on global peace and security, it must recognize that Iran’s internal repression fuels its external aggression. The regime’s survival depends on silencing dissent at home while projecting defiance abroad. Breaking this cycle requires a unified response — one that holds Tehran accountable for both its nuclear violations and its crimes against humanity.
The time for half-measures has passed. The time for moral clarity is now.
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