Founding statement
No to imperialist war!
No to the theocratic regime!
We recognise that there is an urgent need to establish a principled
solidarity campaign with the people of Iran. The contradictions between
the interests of the neo-conservatives in power in the USA and the
defenders of the rule of capital in the Islamic Republic has entered a
dangerous new phase.
US imperialism and its allies are intent on regime change from above
and are seriously considering options to impose this - sanctions,
diplomatic pressure, limited strikes or perhaps bombing the country
back to the stone age.
In Iran, the theocracy is using the international outcry against its alleged
nuclear weapons programme to divert attention away from the country's
endemic crisis, deflect popular anger onto foreign enemies and thus
prolong its reactionary rule.
The pretext of external threats has been cynically used to justify
increased internal repression. The regime's security apparatus has been
unleashed on its political opponents, workers, women and youth. The
rising tide of daily working class anti-capitalist struggles has been
met with arrests, the ratification of new anti-labour laws and sweeping
privatisations. Under the new Iranian government, military-fascist
organisations are gaining political and military strength, posing an
ominous threat to the working class and democratic opposition.
Paradoxically, the US/UK invasion of Iraq has actually increased the
regional influence of Iran's rulers - it led to the election of the
pro-Iranian Shia government currently in power in Baghdad.
This means that any support from the anti-war movement for the
reactionaries who currently govern Iran and repress its people is in
effect indirect support for the occupation government in Iraq.
We recognise that effective resistance to this war can only mean the
militant defence of the struggles of the working class in Iran and of
the rising social movements in that country. We want regime change -
both in Iran and in the imperialist countries. But we know that change
must come from below - from the struggles of the working class and
social movements - if it is to lead to genuine liberation.
We call on all anti-capitalist forces, progressive political groups
and social organisations to join activists of the Iranian left to both
oppose imperialism's plans and to organise practical solidarity with
the growing movement against war and repression in Iran headed by the
working class, women, students and youth.
Our campaign demands are:
- No to imperialist war!
- No to the theocratic regime!
- The immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US/UK troops
from the Gulf region!
- Opposition to Israeli expansionism and aggression!
- Support to all working class and progressive struggles in
Iran against poverty and repression!
- Support for socialism, democracy and workers' control in
Iran!
- For a nuclear-free Middle East as a first step towards a nuclear-free world!
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