NATIONAL DIALOGUE FOR IRAN: HISTORIC CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON

Washington, D.C. – September 12–13, 2025
On the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, the U.S. capital hosted the National Dialogue Conference for Iran, a two-day event aimed at fostering solidarity among pro-democracy forces opposing the Islamic Republic.

The conference, organized by NSG Iran and streamed via the Woman-Life-Liberty platform, featured 13 sessions and nearly 15 hours of debate. According to coverage from Kayhan London and Iran International, the gathering brought together activists, journalists, legal experts, former political prisoners, and victims of state violence to outline principles for Iran’s democratic future.

Justice and Accountability at the Core

One of the central themes was transitional justice. Speakers including Lawdan Bazargan, Saeid Dehghan, and Ladan Boroumand argued that no transition can succeed without accountability for crimes committed under the Islamic Republic. Justice, they said, must serve as the foundation of Iran’s new political order.

Women’s Leadership and Human Dignity

Prominent voices such as Mehrangiz Kar, Mahnaz Afkhami, Nazanin Boniadi, and Atena Daemi highlighted the indispensable role of women in the struggle for freedom. Their message: true democracy cannot exist while half of society is silenced.

Internet Freedom and Digital Resilience

Panels on digital rights and internet freedom featured activists like Evan Alireza Firoozi, Nima Rashedan, and Azam Jangravi. Participants warned that the regime uses connectivity as a weapon, but also underlined how technology can empower citizens and safeguard truth.

Media, Truth, and Information Integrity

A session on media integrity brought together Nazanin Ansari (Kayhan London), Camelia Entekhabifard, and Maziar Bahari. As reported by Kayhan London, participants examined how disinformation threatens both domestic and diaspora media, stressing that credibility and fact-based journalism remain essential tools against authoritarian propaganda.

Confronting Opposition Divisions

Another panel addressed the divisions among opposition groups. According to Kayhan London, speakers such as Shahran Tabari, Iraj Ganji-Bakhsh, Shahriar Ahy, and Arash Azizi noted that distrust and rivalries remain a barrier. Still, they argued that dialogue must replace hostility, turning differences into strength.

Principles for a Democratic Transition

Several sessions underscored non-negotiable principles for a future Iran:

• Territorial integrity
• Respect for human rights and minority rights
• Freedom of expression
• Pluralism and tolerance
• Dismantling authoritarian structures, including the Vali-e Faqih system

As Kayhan London highlighted, these principles formed the backbone of the discussions.

International and Political Perspectives

Foreign policy experts Behnam Ben Taleblu, Alex Vatanka, and Alan Eyre, moderated by Negar Mojtahedi, argued that international support for the Iranian people is not only a moral duty but also a matter of regional security.

Meanwhile, Canadian MP Ali Ehsassi and Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi provided examples of how Iranians abroad are already serving in public office — a glimpse of the civic potential possible in a free Iran.

Lessons from Global Transitions

Drawing on democratic transitions in Eastern Europe and the Arab world, Carl Gershman, Nizar Zakka, and Ibrahim Al-Assil shared lessons learned. Their warning was clear: without unity, transitions falter; inclusivity and cooperation are indispensable.

Speakers & Full Recordings

The conference featured more than thirty speakers from across disciplines:

• Lawdan Bazargan, Saeid Dehghan, Mahsa Piraei, Ladan Boroumand
• Evan Alireza Firoozi, Nima Rashedan, Azam Jangravi
• Ali Ehsassi (Canada), Alireza Akhondi (Sweden)
• Behnam Ben Taleblu, Alex Vatanka, Alan Eyre, Negar Mojtahedi
• Carl Gershman, Nizar Zakka, Ibrahim Al-Assil, Roxana Saberi
• Nazanin Ansari, Camelia Entekhabifard, Maziar Bahari
• Mehrangiz Kar, Mahnaz Afkhami, Nazanin Boniadi, Atena Daemi
• Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Negin Shiraghaei, Siamak Aram
• Sharmin Meymandi Nejad, Zahra Rahimi, Esmail Abdi, and others

The full recordings — 13 sessions, nearly 15 hours — are available on NSG Iran’s YouTube channel and via the Woman-Life-Liberty conference page.

Echoes Across the Diaspora

The Washington gathering coincided with rallies marking Amini’s anniversary worldwide. Iran International reported that the conference was not only a commemoration but also a renewed call for freedom and unity. Participants stressed that while disagreements persist, Iranians are bound together by the shared goal of liberation.

A Beginning, Not an End

Organizers concluded that the National Dialogue Conference was only the first step. By bringing together diverse voices — from activists to policymakers — it demonstrated that Iran’s opposition is not fractured but pluralistic, united by one mission: a free and democratic Iran.