Kellogg Encourages Action Against Iran Regime at NCRI Conference in Paris
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg recently spoke at a conference organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Paris. He addressed Iranian opposition supporters, telling them that the current Iranian leadership is weaker than ever before and that now is a critical time for action.
“The window of opportunity is wider than it has been in a generation, and it won’t remain open forever,” Kellogg stated. He emphasized that the regime in Tehran would not leave power willingly and encouraged dissidents to take decisive steps.
Kellogg described any agreement made regarding Iran’s nuclear program as just the beginning of a greater initiative aimed at paving a future devoid of the current regime.
Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI, echoed these sentiments. She argued that both war and negotiations had failed to eliminate the threats posed by the Iranian government. “A peaceful, non-nuclear Iran can only emerge through the overthrow of this regime by the Iranian people,” she stated, stressing the importance of including human rights considerations in any international agreements.
Kellogg also mentioned the NCRI’s disclosure in 2002 of Iran’s nuclear sites, stressing that the group should play a major role in ensuring any future agreements are closely monitored. “Verification is not just a concept for this council. It is your responsibility,” he noted.
The conference drew significant attention, with NCRI organizers expecting many Iranian expatriates to attend despite a ban on an outdoor rally due to perceived security threats. This ban was upheld by a French court amid concerns about possible violence associated with rival Iranian groups.
Despite the prohibition, some demonstrators still gathered, resulting in around 20 arrests, according to police. Ali Safavi, a member of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the French government for this decision, arguing that it amounted to an unfair yielding to intimidation.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the ban, calling it a “tragic mistake” and urging Western nations to support Iranian voices fighting for freedom.
During the event, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba linked the struggles of the Iranian opposition to Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. He expressed solidarity with those advocating for democracy in Iran and underscored Iran’s role in supporting Russia’s military efforts.
The French government has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the ban.
