The Red Flags of the Fake Iranian Opposition and Reformists

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What’s in A Name

Assuming that part of the reason Western leaders and media have allowed themselves to be fooled by the fake opposition and reformists is ignorance, it’s essential to explore how to identify these people so as to never give their toxic opinions the light of day.

Shakespeare wrote, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." The same is true of the stench from MEK and other fake opposition and reformists.

Trying to deceive as it does, the MEK has changed its name multiple times because Iranians have exposed them. They are known as PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran), MEK (Mojahedin-E- Khalgh), and NCRI (National Council Resistance of Iran). Regardless of what they are called, their agenda is the same. If there is any difference between them, it is not one of ideology, but more like a hand-in-glove relationship where one controls the other.

Words Matter

It does take a careful ear to understand when speaking to a fake opposition or reformist member, but if you pay attention, it’s easy to break their code.

MEK members reflexively speak out against the Pahlavi dynasty and the idea of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to return. They have a famous slogan, “We want neither a king nor a leader (referring to Ayatollah Khamenei), Curse to both tyrants.” This is the common slogan used both by MEK and the regime's exported agents to deceive the world that the Shah was a tyrant, a fascist, they will say, and that is why they should not support his son. They will make up other absurd lies to defame Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi and discredit his son, even stating as fact that the videos of Iranians calling for Reza Pahlavi to return are “fake.” As soon as you hear that, run from them. There are thousands of videos circulating demonstrating that Crown Prince Pahlavi is who the Iranians want to return and restore Iran. 

MEK and other fake opposition and reformists know the truth that the majority of Iranians support Prince Pahlavi because of the great work of his father and grandfather in Iran. That’s why they are working so frantically to make people believe it’s not true. Iranians understand their mistake by not supporting the Shah in 1979, and the consequences of not appreciating the freedoms and quality of life that they had. That is why in most of their protests, they chant “Reza Shah, Bless your soul,” to defeat the deception that is promoted by MEK and other fake opposition and reformists.

Foreign Intervention

Another lie by MEK and the fake opposition and reformists is that Iranians do not want foreign intervention in overthrowing the Islamic regime. Iranians have put their lives on the line and sacrificed so much as they do again now. In each protest, they have demanded help from America, Israel, and Western countries to stand with them. In 2009, I was in prison during the Green Movement protests, triggered by that year’s fraudulent election. Evin Prison’s cells were so packed with people being rounded up, beaten, and incarcerated that there was scarcely space to move. These were the lucky ones who were not beaten or shot to death, or those who were disappeared and never seen again. Iranians were chanting Obama’s name in a play on words in Farsi, asking if he was with them or with the mullahs. In the end, Obama let down the Iranian people to the extent that they called him a traitor.

During the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, Iranians shared many videos of celebrations in their homes. They were thanking Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel for hearing their voices and coming to help them get rid of the regime. Unfortunately, the war ended before the job of removing the regime could be completed, and Iranians once again felt betrayed and let down.

For so many years Iranians were betrayed by foreign politicians not hearing their voices and not standing with them to regain their freedom and overthrowing the Islamic regime. Iranians are angry that each time they sacrifice their lives to fight against the regime, the West disappointed them, listening to the regime’s agents planted overseas to mislead and prevent critical Western action.

Iranians defiantly need foreign help, but not like what happened in Venezuela. The West can help by providing arms for groups in Iran who are prepared and able to take on the IRGC. The West can ensure uninterrupted free high-speed internet to allow the people to take matters into their own hands to share the news, motivate, and not be shut off from others.

Iranians do not want the “Supreme Leader” to be arrested and taken to the US, or allowed to flee to Russia. He needs to be apprehended and brought to justice in Iran, by Iranians, maybe to be executed publicly by Iranians as the final nail in the coffin of the Islamic Republic.

When you hear Iranians overseas say that Iranians do not want foreign intervention, it is code identifying them as part of the fake opposition and reformists who do not seek freedom for Iran, but to exert another kind of brutality on Iranians from a different source.

Understanding and exposing their language, and never to give a platform to the fake opposition and reformists will strengthen the voice of Iranians in the streets, and help prevent others with malicious intentions to seize control of this revolution and subjugate Iranians any further through their lies and evil intentions.

Watch their Actions

Recently, the “reformists” inside Iran, and their foreign agents, have started hijacking the protests by widely sharing on the news and social media, “Ali Khamenei is not my Leader.” This is another tactic to signal the West that so called “reformists” inside Iran are against Khamenei, asking the West to help them to help one of their fake opposition members to be the future leader. They know Iranians will bring them all to justice. Iranians are not deceived. That is why they are signaling the West that they are willing to cooperate in eliminating Khamenei if the West makes one of their agents the future leader of Iran. This cannot happen.

Iranians very loudly and clearly said what they want. When they chant, “Death to three groups, Mullahs (Ayatollahs), Leftists (Reformists), and Mojahed (MEK/NCRI/ PMOI) that means they do not accept any of them and they are only seeking a complete regime change without the Islamists’ fingerprints or presence.

When they call Pahlavi’s name across Iran, it means they are calling for the complete overthrow of the regime, not just taking out Khamenei and replacing him with a fake “reformist.”

The Islamic regime must be eliminated completely and replaced with a new leadership that has no ties with the fake opposition and reformists and their agents.

What’s Their Uniform

Members of NCRI/MEK also have a dress code, a uniform that identifies them as being part of the same team. Men wear a thick mustache, and women wear similar scarves covering all their hair, and uniquely wrap the scarf in front of their neck. This is their uniform and how they identify themselves, and one another. While there are many sports rivalries where one uniform may trigger a visceral response, these people’s appearance is another revealing way to identify and shun them. Some of their members have shape-shifted and dress and appear like Western people. This does make identifying them more difficult visually, but their words and actions are still revealing.

There is evidence that NCRI/MEK is cooperating and coordinating with “reformists” in Iran, which is obvious through similar dress and appearance, parroting the same opinions and slogans. But Iranians can recognize them immediately and want nothing to do with them.

This week, we mark the 47^th anniversary of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi being forced to flee Iran with his family due to President Carter and other Western leaders withdrawing their support. This created the vacuum and paved the road for Ayatollah Khomeini to return, to purge anyone who he viewed as an enemy, impose strict radical Islam, and begin the process of hijacking the country.

Endless evil and suffering have resulted in Iran and around the world. Iranians have taken to the streets calling for the end of the regime, the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, and begging the world to help them overthrow their oppressors. Iranians have made it clear that the fake opposition and reformists, as represented by NCRI/MEK and others, are not acceptable or viable.

This is the time for world leaders to take action. Silence is compliance.

Related Article

How to Recognize and Expose Fake Iranian Opposition and Reformists

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sir Francis Canker Photography

Marziyeh Amirizadeh is an Iranian American who immigrated to the US after being sentenced to death in Iran for the crime of converting to Christianity.   She endured months of mental and physical hardships and intense interrogation. She is author of two books (the latest, A Love Journey with God), public speaker, and columnist. She has shared her inspiring story throughout the United States and around the world to bring awareness about the ongoing human rights violations and persecution of women and religious minorities in Iran, www.MarzisJourney.com.

Marzi also is the founder and president of NEW PERSIA whose mission is to be the voice of persecuted Christians and oppressed women under Islam, expose the lies of the Iranian Islamic regime, and restore the relationships between Persians, Jews, and Christians. www.NewPersia.org