Interview with Mehran Barati, Executive Board Member of Iran Transition Council
Iran Transition Council (ITC) was officially launched in September 2019. Which foreign policy strategy does the organization have?
A good foreign policy means the betterment of people’s welfare and the socio-political security of citizens. The Islamic Regime in Iran, however, claims its ideological ruling interests to be the interest of the people of Iran. This political-theocratic leadership of Iran has now been fighting with the civilized world for 40 years now. And what has been sacrificed as a result is the societal security of the population. From its early days, this regime has adopted the policy of exporting its revolution in the region, declaring its antagonist hostility toward the United States of America and Israel. So we want to win the support of the Iranian people for a different type of politics. We are going to design and execute a foreign policy that prioritizes the national interest of Iran and Iranians, a foreign policy that complies with international laws and enhances a mutually respectful co-existence with other nations.
What do you expect from meeting with western governments and institutions?
We would like to have the support of western governments by the implementation of a peaceful transition to democracy. The regime must be strictly isolated from all international institutions, until it agrees to hold a free election under the direct supervision of the United Nations. Should it be defeated in the process, it must hand over its power to the democratically elected interim government. The interim government will then hold an election for a Constitutional Assembly, who will draft a new Constitution. This will then pave the way for the people of Iran to democratically and freely elect a new Parliament. Under such circumstances, Iran can once again be integrated as a member of the international community based on the principles of mutual respect and engagement with protection of World Peace.
You also mentioned that ITC is planning to send Goodwill ambassadors to neighboring countries and other countries in the region. What are your talking points for these countries?
Our goal is building a peaceful coexistence with all our neighbors and protection of regional peace. Regional conflicts should be resolved in compliance with international laws and in accordance with UN procedures. Through our Goodwill ambassadors, we are going to present our concept for regional cooperation and development with neighboring and regional countries. A common market is another concept we would like to present to our neighbors and gain their favorable views. Israel is also a country in the Middle East. We recognize that and will also open a dialog with them.
In ITC’s inaugural meeting you also mentioned that in its dealing with the Iranian regime, the world can have a third alternative other than war or complicity. What is this alternative?
All high ranking representatives of Iranian regime who have committed crimes against humanity and have executed thousands and thousands of humans without due legal proceedings travel in and out of European states without any problems. Had these states internationalized their penal codes, a committed crime in a third country could also be prosecuted here. On such basis, we demand the arrest of any such representative of the regime who is accused of a crime against humanity. Sweden has now launched this pathway, and we would like to see other EU States follow suit. We ask Europe to prioritize human rights of Iranians along with the business and market profits.
ITC is looking for international support for its demands and conceptions. How do you plan to attract such support?
We should first earn the trust and support of the people of Iran. Once the population in the country follows our prospects and lends its support, the international community will follow suit and support our mission. We do not need financial support; our wealthy fellow Iranians support our work. What we need is the moral and political support of the global community in tackling and overthrowing the dictatorship, rescuing and rehabilitating the environment and the economy of our devastated land.
