It’s pretty clear that a lack of understanding has contributed to how Western leaders and media have been misled by fake opposition parties and reformers. We really need to find ways to spot these individuals so their damaging views don’t gain traction.
There’s a saying by Shakespeare: “What’s in a name? What we call a rose would smell just as sweet by any other name.” The same idea applies to the bad reputation surrounding the MEK and similar groups posing as opposition.
Since being called out, the MEK has shifted its name multiple times to pull the wool over people’s eyes. They’re known as PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran), MEK (Mojahedin-E-Kharg), and NCRI (National Council of Iranian Resistance). No matter what title they adopt, their goals remain unchanged. Any differences between them are not ideological, but rather about power dynamics between factions.
Words Matter
Listening to fake opposition and reformist politicians requires a keen ear, but if you pay attention, it’s pretty straightforward to decipher their messaging.
MEK supporters consistently express their opposition to the Pahlavi dynasty and Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s return. They have a well-known slogan: “We want neither king nor leader (referring to Khamenei), curse both tyrants.” This phrase aims to mislead the world into believing the Shah was a tyrant, so there’s no reason to support his son. They’ve spread various ridiculous claims to vilify Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and discredit his heir. They even dismiss videos of people calling for Pahlavi’s return as “fake.” When you hear that, it’s best to steer clear. There’s ample evidence showing that many Iranians actually do want Pahlavi to come back and restore Iran.
The MEK and other faux-opposition groups are aware that most Iranians favor Crown Prince Pahlavi due to the notable achievements of his father and grandfather. That’s why they work tirelessly to convince the public otherwise. Iranians now realize their mistake in turning away from the Shah in 1979, and they recognize the fallout from not appreciating their prior freedoms. That’s why you often hear chants like “Reza Shah, bless your soul” at protests, countering the distortions spread by the MEK and others.
Foreign Intervention
Another myth propagated by the MEK and fake opposition is that Iranians don’t desire foreign intervention to topple the Islamic regime. The truth is, Iranians have risked their lives and made enormous sacrifices, continually calling for support from the U.S., Israel, and Western nations. In 2009, during the Green Movement protests following the fraudulent elections, I was imprisoned. Evin Prison was overcrowded with detainees who had been beaten or, tragically, went missing. Those who did speak out called on President Obama, questioning whether he was on their side or siding with the regime. Ultimately, he let them down, even labeling them traitors.
During a conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025, many Iranians shared videos celebrating as if Prime Minister Netanyahu had heard their cries for help to overthrow the regime. Sadly, the war ended before the regime could be dismantled, leaving the Iranian people feeling betrayed once again.
For years, Iranians feel they’ve been let down by foreign politicians who ignored their calls for freedom and assistance in overthrowing the Islamic regime. Each time they risk their lives against the regime, they feel the West listens to regime sympathizers instead of hearing their pleas.
They do need foreign assistance, but it shouldn’t look like what happened in Venezuela. Western nations could provide weapons to groups willing to confront Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and ensure access to reliable, high-speed internet, helping people communicate and coordinate without interruption.
Iranians don’t want their “supreme leader” to be arrested and taken away to the U.S. or escape to Russia. He needs to be taken into custody in Iran, tried by Iranians, and potentially face public execution—bringing an end to the Islamic Republic.
When you hear Iranians abroad say, “Iranians do not want foreign interference,” it often signals that they’re aligned with the fake opposition and aren’t genuinely pursuing freedom for Iran; instead, they want to impose their own objectives on the Iranian people.
Understanding their language and refraining from amplifying false dissenters and reformers will help bolster the voices of Iranians on the streets and prevent others from hijacking this movement with deceitful intentions.
Observe Their Actions
Lately, “reformists” in Iran along with their foreign agents have begun taking over protests by widely broadcasting the phrase “Ali Khamenei is not my leader.” This tactic aims to convince the West they oppose Khamenei while trying to install another fake opposition figure as the new leader. They’re aware that the Iranian people will hold them accountable, so they attempt to signal their willingness to remove Khamenei if it means putting one of their own in power. This cannot happen.
Iranians have been quite vocal about their demands. When they chant “death to three groups: the Mullahs (Ayatollahs), the Left (Reformists), and the Mojahed (MEK/NCRI/PMOI),” it signals total rejection of all these factions, clearly indicating they seek a complete regime change without any remnants of Islamist ideology.
When they call upon President Pahlavi across the nation, it’s a call for a full regime overthrow—not merely replacing Khamenei with another shallow “reformer.”
The Islamic regime must be eliminated entirely and ideally replaced by leaders with no ties to the fake rebels, reformists, or their affiliates.
Identifying Their Uniforms
NCRI/MEK members adhere to a distinct dress code or uniform that marks them as part of the same crew. Men often have thick mustaches, while women wear scarves that entirely cover their hair, notably wrapped in a specific way. This uniform serves as a visual cue to identify and avoid them. Some members might disguise themselves in Western attire, complicating their identification, but their rhetoric and conduct can still reveal their affiliations.
Evidence suggests that NCRI/MEK collaborates with Iranian “reformists,” demonstrated by their similar appearances, clothing, and aligned slogans. Nevertheless, Iranians can spot them right away and generally want nothing to do with them.
This week marks the 47th anniversary of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s departure from Iran after President Carter and other Western leaders withdrew their support, creating a power vacuum that allowed Khomeini to return, eliminate his opponents, and impose strict Islamic extremism.
Iranians are protesting for an end to the regime and the reinstatement of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, urgently requesting global support to oust their oppressors. They have made it clear that false opposition groups like NCRI/MEK must not be accepted.
The time for action from world leaders is now. Silence amounts to complicity.
Related Articles
How to identify and expose fake Iranian opponents and reformists
The Warning Signs of the False Iranian Opposition and Reformists – Guest Commentary
It’s pretty clear that a lack of understanding has contributed to how Western leaders and media have been misled by fake opposition parties and reformers. We really need to find ways to spot these individuals so their damaging views don’t gain traction.
There’s a saying by Shakespeare: “What’s in a name? What we call a rose would smell just as sweet by any other name.” The same idea applies to the bad reputation surrounding the MEK and similar groups posing as opposition.
Since being called out, the MEK has shifted its name multiple times to pull the wool over people’s eyes. They’re known as PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran), MEK (Mojahedin-E-Kharg), and NCRI (National Council of Iranian Resistance). No matter what title they adopt, their goals remain unchanged. Any differences between them are not ideological, but rather about power dynamics between factions.
Words Matter
Listening to fake opposition and reformist politicians requires a keen ear, but if you pay attention, it’s pretty straightforward to decipher their messaging.
MEK supporters consistently express their opposition to the Pahlavi dynasty and Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi’s return. They have a well-known slogan: “We want neither king nor leader (referring to Khamenei), curse both tyrants.” This phrase aims to mislead the world into believing the Shah was a tyrant, so there’s no reason to support his son. They’ve spread various ridiculous claims to vilify Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and discredit his heir. They even dismiss videos of people calling for Pahlavi’s return as “fake.” When you hear that, it’s best to steer clear. There’s ample evidence showing that many Iranians actually do want Pahlavi to come back and restore Iran.
The MEK and other faux-opposition groups are aware that most Iranians favor Crown Prince Pahlavi due to the notable achievements of his father and grandfather. That’s why they work tirelessly to convince the public otherwise. Iranians now realize their mistake in turning away from the Shah in 1979, and they recognize the fallout from not appreciating their prior freedoms. That’s why you often hear chants like “Reza Shah, bless your soul” at protests, countering the distortions spread by the MEK and others.
Foreign Intervention
Another myth propagated by the MEK and fake opposition is that Iranians don’t desire foreign intervention to topple the Islamic regime. The truth is, Iranians have risked their lives and made enormous sacrifices, continually calling for support from the U.S., Israel, and Western nations. In 2009, during the Green Movement protests following the fraudulent elections, I was imprisoned. Evin Prison was overcrowded with detainees who had been beaten or, tragically, went missing. Those who did speak out called on President Obama, questioning whether he was on their side or siding with the regime. Ultimately, he let them down, even labeling them traitors.
During a conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025, many Iranians shared videos celebrating as if Prime Minister Netanyahu had heard their cries for help to overthrow the regime. Sadly, the war ended before the regime could be dismantled, leaving the Iranian people feeling betrayed once again.
For years, Iranians feel they’ve been let down by foreign politicians who ignored their calls for freedom and assistance in overthrowing the Islamic regime. Each time they risk their lives against the regime, they feel the West listens to regime sympathizers instead of hearing their pleas.
They do need foreign assistance, but it shouldn’t look like what happened in Venezuela. Western nations could provide weapons to groups willing to confront Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and ensure access to reliable, high-speed internet, helping people communicate and coordinate without interruption.
Iranians don’t want their “supreme leader” to be arrested and taken away to the U.S. or escape to Russia. He needs to be taken into custody in Iran, tried by Iranians, and potentially face public execution—bringing an end to the Islamic Republic.
When you hear Iranians abroad say, “Iranians do not want foreign interference,” it often signals that they’re aligned with the fake opposition and aren’t genuinely pursuing freedom for Iran; instead, they want to impose their own objectives on the Iranian people.
Understanding their language and refraining from amplifying false dissenters and reformers will help bolster the voices of Iranians on the streets and prevent others from hijacking this movement with deceitful intentions.
Observe Their Actions
Lately, “reformists” in Iran along with their foreign agents have begun taking over protests by widely broadcasting the phrase “Ali Khamenei is not my leader.” This tactic aims to convince the West they oppose Khamenei while trying to install another fake opposition figure as the new leader. They’re aware that the Iranian people will hold them accountable, so they attempt to signal their willingness to remove Khamenei if it means putting one of their own in power. This cannot happen.
Iranians have been quite vocal about their demands. When they chant “death to three groups: the Mullahs (Ayatollahs), the Left (Reformists), and the Mojahed (MEK/NCRI/PMOI),” it signals total rejection of all these factions, clearly indicating they seek a complete regime change without any remnants of Islamist ideology.
When they call upon President Pahlavi across the nation, it’s a call for a full regime overthrow—not merely replacing Khamenei with another shallow “reformer.”
The Islamic regime must be eliminated entirely and ideally replaced by leaders with no ties to the fake rebels, reformists, or their affiliates.
Identifying Their Uniforms
NCRI/MEK members adhere to a distinct dress code or uniform that marks them as part of the same crew. Men often have thick mustaches, while women wear scarves that entirely cover their hair, notably wrapped in a specific way. This uniform serves as a visual cue to identify and avoid them. Some members might disguise themselves in Western attire, complicating their identification, but their rhetoric and conduct can still reveal their affiliations.
Evidence suggests that NCRI/MEK collaborates with Iranian “reformists,” demonstrated by their similar appearances, clothing, and aligned slogans. Nevertheless, Iranians can spot them right away and generally want nothing to do with them.
This week marks the 47th anniversary of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s departure from Iran after President Carter and other Western leaders withdrew their support, creating a power vacuum that allowed Khomeini to return, eliminate his opponents, and impose strict Islamic extremism.
Iranians are protesting for an end to the regime and the reinstatement of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, urgently requesting global support to oust their oppressors. They have made it clear that false opposition groups like NCRI/MEK must not be accepted.
The time for action from world leaders is now. Silence amounts to complicity.
Related Articles
How to identify and expose fake Iranian opponents and reformists
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