In a recent interview, Mohammad  Mohaddessin,  Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), offered some insights into the Resistance Units:

“What has kept this illegitimate regime in power after 43 years is its practice of unbridled domestic crackdown. The religious dictatorship, with dozens of intelligence, military, and security institutions, has gone the distance to keep this notion of fear alive throughout the Iranian society that the regime is strong, and no internal or external force can stand against it.

“And the ‘Resistance Units’ are the sledgehammers that break this atmospheric crackdown. Each day in various parts of Iran, under a widespread network of surveillance cameras, right under the noses of thousands of overt and covert agents, they are groups of brave youths that take down the icons of this dictatorship. These Resistance Units are literally on the verge of bringing an end to the regime’s suffocating crackdown.

“Even the coronavirus pandemic, through which the regime sought to ground the entire Iranian nation, has not hindered their efforts. They’re also the driving force behind Iran’s nationwide uprisings, taking the initiative in various scenes.

“Through their actions, they’re sending a message to the Iranian society and the international community that this regime is loathed by the Iranian people. It is not a strong regime. This state, with all its technology and advanced weaponry, may imprison, torture, and execute us. However, it can no longer maintain fear in our hearts. The Resistance Units are saying: “This regime has to go and will go!”

“This network is now five years in the making. Thousands of young Iranians are active in many cities, towns, and villages across the country. They’re even carrying out their measures in broad daylight, encouraging people into rising up against the mullahs’ regime, and/or nuisance measures targeting the regime’s security institutions. Each measure by a Resistance Unit plants the seeds of courage into the hearts of hundreds of people. Each measure is a severe blow to this regime’s lifespan.

“The world’s largest conventional armies have been helpless against insurgencies. There are numerous examples throughout history. These members of Resistance Units are among the people and communicating with their locals, planting the ideas and mentality of being active and resistant in the face of the regime’s forces. In markets, schools, and at their workplaces… wherever there is potential for dissent, these activists are there to encourage the people to rise against the regime. They use social media platforms to inform the broader public.

“Even though this regime has to this day arrested hundreds of Resistance Unit members, their numbers are increasing by the day. It matters not how large the regime’s oppressive forces are. What is important is the fact that weapons and technology lack the will to overcome an organized force that relies on its people and has a legitimate objective. Such an entity is able to expand, and nothing can stand in its path.”