Serdar Yüksel: The Iranian Regime Has Never Been This Weak—The Chance for Freedom Is Real
Serdar Yüksel, German MP, addresses an NCRI conference on May 31, 2025
Written by
Amir Taghati
On May 31, at the second session of the 2025 Free Iran Conference near Paris, German MP Serdar Yüksel delivered an emotionally charged speech affirming his solidarity with the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom, peace, and democracy. Speaking without prepared notes, Yüksel said he chose instead to absorb the atmosphere of the gathering and reflect on the lives lost over the last 45 years in the fight against tyranny.
His thoughts, he said, were with the tens of thousands who have been killed by the Iranian regime since 1979—men and women whose names must never be forgotten. Addressing the families of victims present in the crowd, he emphasized that their suffering imposes a duty on everyone to continue the fight for human rights.
Yüksel declared that, in his view, the Iranian regime has never been as weakened as it is today. He described the current moment as a historic, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for meaningful change—so that the sacrifices of past generations will not have been in vain.
He contrasted the democratic freedoms enjoyed by European lawmakers with the dangerous, life-threatening conditions faced by those who engage in politics for Iran’s future. Closing with a message of unity and resolve, Yüksel offered his full support to the Iranian resistance, stating plainly: “You have me on your side. Freedom. Azadi.”
The full text of Serdar Yüksel’s speech follows. This is a translated version. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
MP Serdar Yüksel: The regime in Iran is weaker than ever. Now is the time to end it—so the sacrifices of tens of thousands aren’t in vain. We want freedom and democracy in Iran, just as we have in Europe.#FreeIran2025
https://t.co/vzeNl1BokD— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 31, 2025
Honorable colleagues, esteemed ladies and gentlemen, dear friends—
It makes me proud, and I’m grateful to be here with you today. I want to sincerely thank you for the invitation. I haven’t prepared a formal speech. I came here to absorb the mood and listen—to let the conversations and emotions of this gathering guide my words.
And so, my thoughts this evening are with the tens of thousands of people who have lost their lives over the past 45 years in the fight for freedom, peace, and human rights. That’s why our thoughts today belong to those who must not be forgotten—to those whose names must never be forgotten.
Many of you here today have lost loved ones over these past decades. And for that reason alone, we are obligated to continue this fight—for freedom, for human rights, for democracy. A fight that generations before us have paid for with their lives.
We must continue this fight in their name.
And let me also say this: in my view, the regime in Iran has never been as weak as it is today. I truly believe we are facing a historic opportunity—a unique moment where this regime, which is faltering both internally and externally, could finally fall.
And if it does, the struggle—the struggle of the tens of thousands who gave their lives—will not have been in vain. It will mean something. It will mean that people can finally live in freedom and democracy—the same freedoms we in Europe take for granted every day.
That’s why I hold such deep admiration for what you are doing.
As German members of parliament, we may sometimes be insulted on the street—but no one tries to kill us. No one is threatening our lives.
Democracy in Europe, for us parliamentarians, is not a dangerous thing. But we can hardly begin to grasp what it means to do politics for Iran—to stand up for freedom at such a high personal cost. To take that stand knowing that it might cost you your life.
And because I just said that I believe regime change is not only possible—but perhaps closer now than it has been in 45 years—I want to wish you strength, stamina, and hope.
I believe in this struggle you are leading.
You have me on your side.
Freedom. Azadi.