Brussels, September 6, 2025 — A large demonstration was held in Brussels on Saturday as thousands of people gathered to call for political change in Iran. Organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the rally drew participants from across Europe, with groups traveling from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom. The event, centered around the Atomium and Heysel Plateau, combined speeches by international dignitaries with chants and displays of support for democracy in Iran.
The NCRI, based in exile, describes itself as a broad coalition advocating the replacement of Iran’s current system with a secular, democratic republic. The group has long campaigned for international recognition and for greater pressure on Tehran over human rights violations and its nuclear program.
Among the prominent speakers at Saturday’s rally were former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, former U.K. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and former Vice President of the European Parliament Alejo Vidal-Quadras. Their presence underlined the international dimension of the gathering and the effort by the Iranian opposition to secure global backing.
In her keynote address, Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI’s President-elect, outlined the opposition’s vision for the country’s future. She called for free elections, the separation of religion from the state, gender equality, and a government based on universal human rights principles. Rajavi also urged Western governments to take stronger measures against Tehran, including designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and enforcing United Nations resolutions regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.
Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed support for the movement, describing it as a credible alternative to Iran’s current rulers. He rejected the idea that there is no substitute for the existing system, insisting that a democratic and organized option already exists.
Alejo Vidal-Quadras addressed the crowd by calling the demonstrators “the heartbeat of a nation.” He argued that the opposition is not a marginal group but rather a representative force with deep support among Iranians both inside the country and abroad.
Estimates of the turnout varied. Organizers claimed “tens of thousands” were present, while local police reported the number closer to 10,000. Regardless of the figures, the scale of the event was significant, with colorful banners, placards, and chants filling the area throughout the day.
The Brussels demonstration was not limited to European participation. According to organizers, solidarity rallies were held in other cities, including Melbourne, Australia, while inside Iran, resistance supporters marked the day with symbolic acts of defiance despite the risks involved.
For the NCRI, the gathering was a way to showcase both the determination of the Iranian diaspora and the political message it wishes to deliver to the international community. While the Iranian government did not respond directly to the event, speakers repeatedly called on Western powers to recognize the Iranian people’s right to determine their own future.
The rally concluded with renewed calls for a democratic Iran, reflecting the opposition’s long-standing appeal for international solidarity. Whether the message will translate into greater political action by European and U.S. governments remains uncertain, but the demonstration highlighted the ongoing strength and visibility of Iran’s organized resistance abroad.