Speaking at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris, former Finnish Prime Minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki delivered a powerful address affirming her unwavering support for the Iranian people’s struggle against systematic repression. Reflecting on the stark contrast between the freedom experienced in democratic nations and the climate of fear maintained by the regime in Tehran, Jäätteenmäki underscored the extreme risks faced by those who dare to organize for change within Iran.
Jäätteenmäki argued that meaningful change in Iran will not result from foreign wars, diplomatic deals, or international silence. Instead, she identified the true engine of change as the courageous Iranian people on the ground, whose willingness to defy the regime, despite the threat of execution and detention, exposes the inherent weakness of a dictatorship built on fear. Drawing parallels to the historic and rapid collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union, she asserted that while the timing of such transformations is unpredictable, history is ultimately on the side of those pursuing freedom.
The core of her message served as a strong endorsement of the NCRI. Jäätteenmäki expressed her firm belief in Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, describing it as the essential roadmap for establishing a stable, secular, and democratic Iran. Concluding her remarks, she reaffirmed her solidarity with the movement, declaring her conviction that, sooner or later, a government led by Maryam Rajavi will secure a safe and free future for the nation.
The full text of Anneli Jäätteenmäki’s speech follows: