The Mujahedin-e Khalq has been called a lot of things over the years: terrorists, a cult, even (by themselves) a “government-in-exile.” One thing that is undeniable at this point is that they wield considerable influence among US officials past and present, and that lobbying heft is being thrown behind stopping the Iran nuclear deal.
Former Governor Howard Dean (D – VT), a major MeK enthusiast, was among the speech-givers at a recent sponsored “briefing” that condemned the deal, saying any deal must be conditioned on imposing some sort of deal on Iraq to deal with MeK exiles there. Former US Special Envoy Robert Joseph concurred, and blasted the current deal as “appeasement.”
The MeK is putting a lot of effort behind the same Senate sanctions bill that the Israel Lobby is so staunchly behind. The bill would violate the Iran deal by imposing new sanctions, and would effectively kill negotiations.
While the depth of the MeK’s funding of this is, like much of their lobbying, strictly off-the-record (Gov. Dean openly refused to answer questions about how much he was paid for his statement), the group appears to still envision itself being the benefactors of US-imposed regime change in Iran, and is willing to pull out all the stops to see to it that diplomacy does not succeed and rapprochement remains impossible.
MEK does what its sponsor tells them to do! Note the US Congress also do what their sponsors tell them, and the MEKs sponsor told the Congress to take the MEK off the terrorist list! Need we say who's who?
Does the Lion do what its sponsor tells it to do? Who are we to believe? I prefer to look at Iran regime actions in imposing an illegitimate theocratic despotism on Iran, violating basic human rights of women, minorities, and the majority of Iranians who do really oppose this farcical throwback to the medieval ages. Why should sane, progressive people support such a regime by lambasting their opposition and begging others not to put pressure on them? Who is sponsoring such shills?
Because the MEK is no different than the current regime, except for the fact that they actively supported Saddam's invasion of Iran, including the murder of Iranian citizens. I don't blame the Iraqis for not wanting them there. They killed many Iraqis as well. This group just needs to go away, and since they are unable to recruit new members, I would give it another few years.
The USG have no other option but to cooperate with these kind of people, USG have no other option but to cooperate with alike Saudis tyrants, USG have no other option but to cooperate with non functioning democracy no matter what they called.
Wrong, wrong, wrong… The USG does have another option. They can cease their interference (direct and surreptitious) in all the internecine wars going on outside the US proper, and mind their own business.
As for Gov. Dean, he used to have a conscience. Obviously, the sum of money being dispensed by the MeK (a certifiable terrorist group) is large enough to cause a reasonable man to sell his conscience.
I am one of the 75 million Iranians that despise these coward traitors and enthusiastically will dig, by hand, a pit large enough to drop every single MEK cockroach into and fill with sewerage.
These cockroaches are funded by the Saudi despots and any influence they wield in Washington is through Israel.
They can make statements and claims outside of Iran, but if recognized inside Iran they will be treated as cockroaches they are.
You are already doing your dirty gross violations of human rights in Iran, aren't you, member of IRGC and Evin Prison interrogator? You blow us away with your righteous stand against Saudi despots and Washington and Israeli devils!! What about Ali the Beggar (you know, your supreme leader that will face criminal court soon), isn't he so cool and a model democrat? Well, you know what, we can still smell a rat….
Very well said. I'll help you dig that hole. The MEK fought against their own people in support of an Arab dictator that wanted to annex parts of Iran. Who does that?
Other than tv shows what does this guy do? Why does his opinion matter anymore than any other citizen. I am sure he had to do something for money but he is a MD so why did he become a prostitute. I guess he just wants to put a face on how low our political system has gone.