TL;DR: Thousands of Iranians rallied in New York on Sept. 23–24, 2025, protesting President Masoud Pezeshkian’s presence at the UN General Assembly. The rallies condemned Iran’s human rights abuses, rising executions, and the regime’s attempt to gain legitimacy. Speakers promoted the NCRI and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan as the democratic alternative and called on the UN to hold Tehran accountable.
Main Highlights
- Mass Protests Against Pezeshkian at UNGA
- 5,000–8,000 Iranian dissidents gathered near the UN headquarters in New York on Sept. 23–24, 2025.
- Rallies opposed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s participation in the 80th UN General Assembly.
- Protesters accused the regime of using UNGA to “polish its image” despite continued repression at home.
Human Rights Abuses and Executions
- Maryam Rajavi (NCRI President-elect): “The seat of the Iranian people at the United Nations must not be given to a regime of executions and massacres.”
- Nearly 1,800 executions have occurred in just 14 months under Pezeshkian's presidency, per rally speakers.
- Ambassador Carla Sands: “In August alone, the regime executed 170 people,” calling it “systemic, state-sanctioned murder.”
- Protesters displayed banners with faces of executed dissidents, including victims of the 1988 massacre (estimated 30,000 killed).
NCRI and the Ten-Point Plan
- The NCRI promoted its Ten-Point Plan as a roadmap for a democratic Iran, emphasizing:
- Secular governance, gender equality, non-nuclear policy, and free elections.
- Gen. Tod Wolters (former NATO Commander): The plan is “simple, yet strategic and very, very clear.”
- Speakers described the NCRI as “the only proven organized alternative to this regime.”
Rejecting All Dictatorships: "No Shah, No Mullahs"
- Protesters and youth activists rejected both religious rule and monarchy.
- Common chant: “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader.”
- Soolmaz Abooali: “Monarchy has no place in Iran’s future... They will not trade a turban for a crown.”
Resistance Units and Youth Mobilization
- NCRI credited its Resistance Units inside Iran with organizing protests and resisting regime repression.
- Maryam Rajavi: They are “the most awake and vigilant fighters of Iran.”
- Parsa Aria (youth activist): “Their defiance inspires us... heroes of my generation.”
Global Support and U.S. Political Endorsements
- Speakers included:
- Alan Dershowitz: Called Pezeshkian’s presence “a moral outrage”; urged UN expulsion.
- Senator Ted Cruz: “Pezeshkian's lies about no nuclear bomb can't hide the mullahs' gallows at home.”
- Clara Marchant (French envoy): Called for ICC prosecution of the 1988 massacre as genocide.
- Sam Brownback announced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the Ten-Point Plan.
Iranian Regime’s Reaction
- Regime media dismissed protests as "MEK terrorist gatherings."
- Pezeshkian accused “external forces” of fueling unrest during his UNGA speech.
- Iranian officials cited "economic warfare" over restrictions during their UN visit, including a ban on shopping at Costco.
Social Media and Online Impact
- Hashtag #2025FreeIranNYRally trended globally; protest videos reached 2.5 million views.
- NCRI’s Maryam Rajavi posted updates highlighting over 1,200 resistance actions since July 2025.
- Viral clips showed youth leading chants rejecting all forms of dictatorship.
Context: Nuclear Diplomacy and Sanctions
- Rally coincided with nuclear negotiations; European powers may reimpose sanctions by Sept. 28 unless Iran allows full IAEA access.
- Protesters linked domestic repression to nuclear deception and foreign aggression, including drone sales to Russia.
- Petitions were circulated urging the UN to condition Iran’s seat on halting executions.