Hanifeh Khayyeri: We can, and we must, liberate Iran: On Saturday, 25 October 2025, a gathering of Iranian youth supporters of Iran’s Resistance took place, drawing a large participation of youth from Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Held on the eve of the anniversary of the November 2029 uprising and attended by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the elected president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the event was broadcast live and linked in real time with simultaneous gatherings in Bonn, London, and Zurich.
Representatives from more than thirty youth associations across diverse fields—including medicine, law, engineering, sports, and academia—presented their perspectives on the role of Iran’s new generation in the pursuit of freedom and justice. Speakers recalled the sacrifices of young people during the uprisings of November 2029 and 2022 and argued that this generation is no longer a passive observer of events but has become an informed, organized, and determined force for building a free future for Iran.
In one segment, Hanifeh Khayyeri,Vice President of the Sweden Research Institute and a strategist in research and innovation policy for governments and international organizations, delivered remarks stressing the imperative role of youth in redirecting Iran’s historical trajectory and rebuilding the nation’s scientific and social structures.
She said:
“Greetings to viewers and to all the guests of this program. Iran truly has a deeply rooted scientific culture—its people are very talented, intelligent, and well-educated; the culture of science is well established. For example, whenever we recruit, the best candidates consistently come from Iran. Compare that with European countries: they spend vast sums to advance their societies—on research, education, and on recruiting, retaining, and developing specialists. They invest heavily to keep those talents.
But the Iranian regime, instead of retaining its experts, imprisons them, it arrests geniuses, and it executes talented people at the gallows.
Hanifeh Khayyeri: A policy to keep the regime alive, not to build a better Iran
This policy is not nation-building or society-building. What it essentially does is pursue a policy aimed solely at preserving its own regime — a strategy that destroys innovation, hope, and the very prospect of a future in the country. It doesn’t allow young people to believe that they can have a better Iran.
I believe those of us living abroad carry a great responsibility: we must amplify the voices of the resistance units inside Iran, genuinely represent them, and acknowledge the capacities and potentials they possess. We should help others recognize them as well.
In fact, we ourselves have witnessed how, in recent years, the PMOI and the resistance we all support have made the impossible possible. For example, in a few days it will be October 29. Years ago, who would have thought the Mojahedin would survive the missile attacks of Liberty? It was hard to believe. But with your help and leadership, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, we were able to bring the people to Ashraf 3, and in a few months, they built Ashraf 3. And now look — with this leadership and with this talent inside Iran, together with your numbers and capabilities under this roof, imagine what we can achieve. We truly can rebuild Iran, and as you say, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, ‘We can, and we must
