“Bloodshed”: France canceled an event of the Iranian opposition

French authorities canceled a large rally of the Iranian opposition, which was supposed to take place in Paris last week on June 20, after the security services warned of a growing threat from rival monarchist activists, as part of a dramatic split within the exiled Iranian opposition, Reuters reported yesterday (Wednesday).

The Paris police announced the cancellation of the event just hours before it was supposed to start. According to the official announcement, the decision was made “due to a particularly tense national and international situation” and due to a real fear of violence.

In the past, there were similar rallies of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), organized by the political arm of the “Mujahideen Khalq” organization (PMOI/MEK), and supporters from across Europe and other countries in the world participated in them. According to the report, those rallies usually passed without any unusual incidents.

However, the intelligence document states that there is an increasing “struggle for influence” between the “Mujahideen Khalq” organization, which is seen by many as a terrorist organization for all intents and purposes, and monarchists who support Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the deposed Shah, and each of the camps seeks to present itself as the only legitimate Iranian opposition.

According to the document that revealed the reason for the cancellation, the authorities’ concerns grew stronger following warnings of threats from parties identified with the monarchist camp. Among other things, an activist was mentioned who was described as a prominent figure in this camp, known for threatening statements towards officials in France, who called on his supporters to “block the march route of Mujahideen Khalak”.

It was also noted that videos were circulated on social networks in which the same activist is seen holding a gun, as well as a recording of a weapon being fired that was printed with a 3D printer. In addition, according to the intelligence assessment, people using the symbols associated with the Shah-era security organization Sawach threatened to plant a bomb if the demonstration took place.

The report stated that it is difficult to estimate the extent of Mujahideen Khalq’s support within Iran, but alongside the monarchist groups that support Reza Pahlavi, it is one of the few opposition organizations capable of mobilizing supporters around the world.

The intelligence assessment stated that the march was expected to attract a wide audience beyond Mujahideen Khalq’s traditional support base, including Kurdish, Arab and Baluchi groups, alongside members of various tribes and communist and socialist organizations. The document also warned that the threats may have also come from the Iranian regime, which operates through “occasional messengers”, that is, local officials whose services can be hired to carry out acts of sabotage.

Tehran, which previously outlawed the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Iran, has been calling for many years to act against the organization’s activities in Paris, Washington and Riyadh. The state media in Iran regularly publish condemnations and slanders against the organization.