The native Iranian, 47, who now lives in the United States, has witnessed the murderous Iranian regime defeat numerous protests in past years. Now it appears Iran’s government seems to be fighting for survival for the first time since Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979.
Amirizadeh and her Christian roommate, Maryam Rostampour, know all about the brutal and murderous Iranian regime. After being caught witnessing and distributing New Testaments, they spent more than 250 days behind bars at Tehran’s notorious prison, Evin Prison. They escaped a court-ordered death sentence only when their story spread to the West and worldwide outcry prevented their deaths. They were released from Evin in 2009, fled to Turkey, and came to the United States.
To help the West better understand the protests, and the history behind them, Amirizedeh talked to AFN about what her people are demanding and why. 
AFN: There have been many previous streets protests in Iran that falsely gave the Iranian people hope for freedom from their country’s Islamic theocracy. Do these current protests look more promising than previous ones, or is it too early to know?
Amirizadeh: There are a few major uprisings since the 1979 revolution in Iran. Each time, hundreds or thousands of Iranians were arrested, and many were executed by the Islamic regime. Over the past 47 years, tens of thousands of innocent people — men, women, children, activists, students, and minorities – have lost their lives due to state violence in Iran. The Islamic Republic has used executions, torture, disappearances, massacres, and war crimes to silence opposition.
In all the previous uprisings, Iranians did not have a true leader to unite them because the Reformists were successful in deceiving Iranians and western people by exporting and promoting their fake oppositions. For years the Reformists, through their fake oppositions, have spread a lie that Iranians do not know what they want and are not united. So far, they were successful in spreading this lie, deceiving the world, and disuniting Iranians.
Finally, Iranians learned and understood all the tactics of the reformists. A famous slogan by Iranians is “Reformists, hardliners, the game is over!” That means they are telling the regime that you cannot deceive us anymore.
AFN: In the street protests, many Iranians are calling for the son of the Shah, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi (right), to return to Iran as its new ruler. Is that also a wish for the monarchy to return, too, rather than a call for freedom and democracy?
Amirizadeh: A majority of Iranians want the return of Prince Pahlavi because he is the only true opposition that they trust because of the great work of his father and especially his grandfather, Reza Shah. Iranians believe the Islamic regime has taken Iran hundreds of years back to the 7th century since 1979 rather than having any cultural or economy improvement.
Prince Pahlavi has said many times that he is not seeking a monarchy system. The form of the government after the fall of the regime depends on the will of Iranians in a free and fair election. However, be sure I can say the majority of Iranians are fans of a monarchy system. If you study the history of Iran, except the 47 years that the Islamic regime hijacked the country, all other time it was a system of monarchy.
I also believe that Iran is not ready for a type of democracy that is in America yet because there is a high possibility that terrorist groups, like MEK and reformists in other forms, try to take the power either by deception in election or by force. A system of monarchy can keep the country together and not allow the leftists and MEK take power to ruin the country again. By the way, I do not think all monarchy system in the world are tyrants.
AFN: Do you have any direct contacts in Iran or second-hand sources that do have contacts there? If so, what are you hearing?
Amirizadeh: I am not in direct contact with people inside the country. Because of my political activities, social media posts, and writings, I cannot be in direct contact with anyone. It will put them in danger of being arrested because the regime’s agents monitor my online activities. However, I am in indirect contact through family and friends who have friends in Iran about the current situation and can update me about what is happing there.
AFN: If you could tell the American people anything about Iran, the protests, and its people, what would it be?
Amirizadeh: I would tell them to hear the true voice of Iranians and not to be deceived by the fake mainstream media that do not cover the truth. The majority of Iranians do not want Islam. They support Israel and would like to have a good relationship with the West and America.
In 1979, Iranians did not appreciate their freedoms. A majority of them chose to be silent, out of fear, and that is why they have suffered for about five decades. I will tell Americans to stand up for their freedoms, their Judeo-Christian values, before it’s too late. Stop the immigration of radical Islamists. Do not allow them to use your religious freedom to spread a dangerous virus, Islam, in your country. Do not allow them to brainwash your children.
Editor's Note: Marziyeh Amirizadeh, an Iranian-American, immigrated to the United States after being sentenced to death in Iran in 2009 for the crime of converting to Christianity. She endured months of mental and physical hardships, and intense interrogation in Evin Prison, Tehran's notorious prison. She is author of two books, a public speaker, and columnist. She has shared her inspiring story throughout the U.S. and around the world, to bring awareness about the ongoing human rights violations and persecution of women and religious minorities in Iran. She is also is the founder and president of New Persia. Her website is www.MarzisJourney.com.
