Iran at the Heart of Global Transformations
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iran once again emerged as one of the central topics in global discussions.
On 24 September 2025, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian drew attention with his speech, in which he reaffirmed that Tehran has no desire to produce nuclear weapons, while simultaneously condemning American and Israeli attacks. As the international community focused on Iran’s nuclear program, new sanctions, and Tehran’s role in regional tensions, thousands of Iranian dissidents, led by Maryam Rajavi, gathered in the streets of New York to amplify their protests and demand fundamental change in Iran.
The Return of UN Sanctions and Their Implications
The UN Security Council recently rejected a proposal to extend the exemption from sanctions against Iran, paving the way for the full reinstatement of previous sanctions. These sanctions—temporarily suspended under Security Council Resolution 2231 in 2015—are set to be fully reactivated starting next month.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom triggered the snapback mechanism, which imposes broad restrictions on Iran’s nuclear, missile, and drone programs. This measure limits financial resources for Khamenei’s Revolutionary Guard forces and affects Iran’s weapons exports.
In his UN address, Pezeshkian stated that Tehran would overcome these “obstacles,” but experts warn that the sanctions could increase pressure on Iran’s already strained economy, particularly amid the depreciation of the rial and rising inflation.
Meanwhile, Iran signed an agreement with Russia to build eight new nuclear power plants by 2040. The deal, concluded between Rosatom and Iran, reflects Tehran’s efforts to expand its nuclear energy program despite international concerns that such initiatives might serve as a cover for military activities. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Iran has only a few hours to present a clear plan for cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, or face inevitable sanctions.
Domestic Resistance and Government Repression
Since 2018, Iran has witnessed successive waves of popular protests driven by economic, political, and social grievances. These uprisings—often featuring anti-government slogans and led by women, girls, and resistance units affiliated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)—have been met with severe state repression. This year alone, hundreds have been killed or executed during protests, and Iran remains among the world’s leading countries in the number of executions. Reports indicate that the regime relies on tools such as mass executions and imprisoning dissidents to maintain its grip on power.
Within this context, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), led by Maryam Rajavi, operates as an organized force with deep historical and grassroots support inside Iran. Rajavi’s ten-point plan—emphasizing principles such as the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and a free-market economy—has received broad backing from parliamentarians around the world. This movement, whose roots go back to the struggle against the former Shah’s dictatorship, has played a significant role in alerting the world by exposing secret nuclear sites. Supporters argue that change in Iran must come from within and through the Iranian people, without the need for foreign intervention.
Global Protests in New York
On the sidelines of the UN meeting, thousands of Iranian supporters of the resistance, led by Maryam Rajavi, took to the streets of New York to protest Pezeshkian’s presence. Chanting slogans such as “No to dictatorship,” demonstrators carried images of the regime’s victims, demanding the expulsion of Iran’s representatives from the United Nations. The Associated Press and the New York Post covered the protests, describing them as the true voice of the Iranian people.
Figures such as former U.S. Ambassador Carla Sands and former White House official Linda Chavez addressed the gatherings, describing the Iranian regime as irredeemable. They stressed that the solution lies in supporting popular resistance, not in appeasement or war. A message from Maryam Rajavi was also read at the rally, in which she accused the regime of genocide and called for Iran’s human rights file to be referred to the Security Council.
Internal Crises: Water and the Economy
Alongside external pressures, Iran faces severe internal challenges. The water crisis in Tehran has reached a critical point, affecting the daily lives of millions and fueling public discontent—thereby feeding further protests. The depreciation of the rial, rising inflation, and frequent power and water outages have made everyday life increasingly difficult. To confront these crises, the regime has strengthened ties with countries such as Russia and China, though such dependence brings its own challenges.
Foreign Policy and the Global Front
Pezeshkian’s UN speech—where he described American and Israeli attacks as a “severe blow” to global peace—reflected Iran’s diplomatic dilemma. The clerical regime refuses to negotiate with the United States while continuing its uranium-enrichment program. In response, the U.S. has imposed strict restrictions on Iranian diplomats, including banning them from shopping at wholesale stores and limiting their movements in New York.
The global front against Iran has strengthened: European countries have joined the snapback mechanism, and even China—Iran’s main oil buyer—may feel the effects of the sanctions. Moreover, the failures of Iran’s proxy groups in the region, including in Syria, have weakened Tehran’s position.
Iran’s Future: The Hope for Change
Iran stands at a decisive moment. Sanctions, internal crises, and popular resistance have placed the regime in a deadlock. The resistance movement led by Maryam Rajavi has generated hope for a democratic future. Speakers such as Sam Brownback in New York emphasized that the world must support the Iranian people in determining their own destiny.
In Conclusion
The international community faces a historic choice: continuing to appease the regime risks global peace, while supporting the will of the Iranian people could pave the way for freedom and progress. These developments show that change in Iran is not only possible—it has become inevitable.
