Let Diplomacy Work!
Let Diplomacy Work!
Honourable Heads of State of Germany, USA, UK and France
Copy: Honourable Secretary-General of the United Nations
Greetings,
"The Hamgami for a Secular Democratic Republic in Iran" (a coalition of five Iranian political parties and organizations), as part of the Iranian opposition promoting the transition from the authoritarian Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) to a republican system based on secular democratic principles, has consistently declared its strong opposition to any military actions against Iranian facilities and infrastructures. Instead, we have fundamentally supported an agreement between the United States and other Western countries within the context of de-escalation with the IRI and the use of diplomatic means to resolve the issues. Negotiations should be transparent, fair, and adopt a win-win approach for all parties involved, considering the legitimate security concerns of the West on one hand and the national interests and security considerations of Iran on the other. It is clear that our perception of national security and national interests differs from that of the IRI.
While we have repeatedly expressed our disagreement with the Islamic Republic's stance on its nuclear program, security policies, and foreign policy in general, we believe that escalating tensions between Iran and the West will further harm Iran and increase instability in the region. Heightened tension and military confrontation are detrimental to Iran, all Middle Eastern countries, and global peace, yielding no long-term winners. Factors such as the Islamic Republic's misguided foreign policies, Israeli government sabotage, extremist actions in Western countries, and those interested in continued tension and militarism on both sides have impeded a lasting agreement.
We also propose that, alongside these talks, human rights institutions affiliated with the United Nations and the European Union take steps to engage the Islamic Republic in critical dialogue. It is paramount to avoid military conflict and achieve a sustainable and balanced agreement in security and strategic areas based on international law, along with effective supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency over the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, allowing the Iranian people relief from the harsh pressures of sanctions.
We maintain that the root cause of the Iranian people's problems lies in the authoritarian rule and reactionary expansionist ideology of the Islamic Republic. Hence, replacing this government with one founded on democracy, secularism, tolerance, and peaceful foreign relations through popular struggles can serve the national interests of the Iranian people and contribute to lasting stability in the Middle East. Normalizing political relations and expanding trade relations at the macro level must be pursued with emphasis on the Iranian government's adherence to its international obligations, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its supplementary conventions. Targeted sanctions against human rights violators and international support for the pro-democracy demands of the Iranian people should continue.
Respectfully,
The Coalition of Hamgami for a Secular Democratic Republic in Iran
16 April 2025
