The MEK and their Western supporters, believing the war was over and Iran’s defensive capabilities weakened following UN Resolution 598, launched an operation called “Forough-e Javidan” aiming to capture Tehran within two days. However, the Army and the Revolutionary Guards, led by heroes such as Martyr Sayad Shirazi, quickly mobilized forces and achieved national cohesion to not only repel this plot but turn it into a turning point in the history of Iran’s national security. Mersad proved that the illusion of security after international agreements can itself pave the way for a new attack, and continuous vigilance is the key to survival and national dignity.
The West: Partner in crime and official supporter of terrorism
Analyzing the West’s role before and after Mersad confirms a bitter truth: the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and their partners were not only intelligence and logistical supporters of the MEK but after their expulsion from Iraq, continued to grant them political legitimacy through crocodile tears and media backing in Albania and Europe. Javid Rahman and media outlets like BBC and Iran International serve as fronts in the narrative war to whitewash the criminals who shed the blood of 17,000 Iranians. This ongoing support establishes direct legal and moral responsibility of the West for the crimes of the MEK terrorist group.
The 12-Day Defense: Reproducing the Mersad experience with indigenous technology
What began at Mersad was reborn with new strength during the 12-day imposed war against Israeli and American aggression. Smart defense, indigenous technologies, missile and cyber capabilities, and the cohesion of the armed forces are all products of the harsh lesson learned from misplaced trust in ceasefires and false hopes in international institutions. Today, Iran plays an active role not only on the battlefield but also in the realm of active deterrence. The Mersad experience taught us that relying on agreements like the JCPOA without deterrent power would be a costly mistake. Mersad became a milestone in “security emerging from within,” a model confirmed in the 12-day defense.
Countering distortion: Mersad, a living document in the perception war
The anniversary of Mersad is an opportunity to fight against enemy distortions and false narratives. The enemy tries to invert the truth of the MEK’s crimes by using terms like “the 1988 victims” and “the 60s’ justice seekers.” What is needed today is an honest and realistic explanation of the nature of the MEK, the West’s role in supporting them, and the security lessons from Mersad for the present day. This explanation is a national duty against the extensive media war aimed at deceiving the younger generation. Just as Operation Mersad turned the enemy’s dream into a nightmare through reality, today its correct narrative is a tool to neutralize the enemy’s cognitive warfare.
NOURNEWS