Paris-based dissident leader Maryam Rajavi has issued a compelling call to action for Iranians inside the country: rise up and bring down Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), made her appeal on June 24—just after Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel in the aerial conflict. She said the pause in military operations should become more than a break—it must be a turning point toward regime change.
Speaking from exile, Maryam Rajavi urged Iranians to seize what she called “the battle of destiny,” framing this moment as a rare chance to overthrow the clerical system. She argued that only a democratic, non-nuclear Iran, with secular governance, gender equality, and autonomy for ethnic minorities, could ensure justice and national cohesion.
Her message follows similar appeals, such as from Reza Pahlavi—the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah—who also called on security forces and citizens to abandon Khamenei and embrace a transition to democracy. Both voices, though from different political traditions, share a common demand: this is not just about ending war, it’s about ending tyranny.
Critics say the opposition remains fragmented. Despite being one of the best-organized exile groups, NCRI still faces skepticism about its influence inside Iran. Iranian authorities have long branded them as terrorists, and their reach within the country is limited—yet their call echoes across diaspora networks and online.
Maryam Rajavi emphasized that the ceasefire marks a “third option”: neither war nor appeasement, but liberation and liberation alone. She described a vision where Iran embraces secular democracy, resolves ethnic demands, and ends its nuclear ambiguity. It’s a powerful narrative—but the road from speech to revolution remains anything but clear.
On the ground, Iranians are weary. They’ve endured economic hardship, international isolation, and now the stress of military escalation. Call it atomic idle moment or geopolitical lull, but the question remains: will ordinary citizens feel empowered to act? And if they do, will the fragmented opposition be ready to lead?
With Trump’s ceasefire announcement renewing international focus, momentum is gathering. The question is whether this window of opportunity will translate into real change—or if it will shut before it opens fully. For now, Rajavi’s appeal stands as a rallying cry: a call for Iranians to shape their destiny, moment by moment, in a pivotal hour of their nation’s history.
