With respect to the proud and grieving people of Iran,

In pursuit of pluralism, freedom, democracy, and a low-cost, peaceful transition from the dictatorial and violent regime of the Islamic Republic, and in recognition of the urgent need for a national alternative emerging from within the country, the necessity of forming such an alternative has become more evident than ever.

Accordingly, we hereby announce the official formation and establishment of the “Strategic Council of Republican Forces Inside Iran.”

The core objectives of this council are grounded in the principles of freedom, democracy, justice, human dignity, national independence, and territorial integrity. These are to be realized through the establishment of a republican system that is democratic, secular, and decentralized, ensuring full equality for all inhabitants across the diverse geography of Iran.
Further details regarding these objectives, including the council’s manifesto and programs, will be communicated to the public through official spokespersons in upcoming statements and interviews.

This council has been formed at its inception with the participation of 35 recognized republican figures from within the country, including individuals currently imprisoned, alongside the collaboration of individuals representing diverse intellectual traditions and a broad spectrum of political orientations.

Today, many Iranians express concern over the lack of unity necessary to form a capable, cohesive, expert-driven, and people-centred alternative composed of political actors from within Iran. We have come together in solidarity to build such an alternative and to dedicate our efforts toward the establishment of a secular, decentralized republic grounded in democratic principles, with a firm commitment to electoral legitimacy and the future Constituent Assembly. Our goal is to secure freedom, human dignity, prosperity, and a vibrant future for the people of Iran.

In this regard, we declare our readiness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with other opposition groups and movements, both inside and outside the country, as well as with individuals holding diverse perspectives.

The identities of the council’s members, comprising committed activists, freedom advocates, democratic forces, experts, and individuals who have paid a high personal cost within Iran, have been shared with relevant international bodies, including the United States Department of State and the European Union’s foreign policy representatives, for the purpose of facilitating cooperation during the transitional period.

Given the sensitive conditions inside Iran and the potential risks involved, and in order to safeguard the lives of members, the identities of the 35 principal members and an additional 35 members in the second tier remain confidential at this stage. Only official spokesperson(s) based outside the country will be publicly introduced to communicate the council’s positions, decisions, and policies to Iranians worldwide. It is evident that, when circumstances permit and security considerations allow, the identities of these leaders and activists will be disclosed to the public.

We invite all recognized individuals and groups within the broad spectrum of republican thought, both inside and outside Iran, who are willing to collaborate with this council, to declare their readiness through the official communication channels that will be announced in future statements. Such cooperation, based on acceptance of the council’s general framework and support for field leaders and credible activists within the country, will be welcomed.

At present, a draft “Transitional Constitution based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” is being prepared by the council’s legal experts.

Furthermore, the respected activist and nationalist figure Shilan Mirzayi has been unanimously appointed as the interim spokesperson of the council. Official communication channels and contact links will be announced by the spokesperson in due course.

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Strategic Council of Republican Forces Inside Iran
Long live Iran and the Iranian people
Tehran, Iran
Sunday, 10 Esfand 1404 (Solar Hijri)
March 1, 2026 (Gregorian)