National Resistance Movement of Iran
The National Movement of the Iranian Resistance (NAMIR; Persian: نهضت مقاومت ملی ایران) was a political organization founded by Shapour Bakhtiar in 1979. An exiled opposition to the Islamic Republic regime, the organization pursued a convergence of nationalism and constitutional liberalism[1]:50 and its membership included liberals, conservatives, and democratic socialists, as well as monarchists.[1]:52
National Movement of the Iranian Resistance | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | NAMIR[1]:124 |
| Military wing commander | Fereydoun Djam[1]:146 |
| Founder | Shapour Bakhtiar |
| Founded | Summer 1979 (Initial activity)[1]:81 August 1980 (Official)[1]:124 |
| Dissolved | 1991[1]:60 |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Ideology | Nationalism Liberalism Secularism Monarchism |
| Political position | Centre-left[1]:144 |
| Slogan | "Iran Will Never Die"[1]:124 |
Leadership
Other than Bakhtiar, who was the leader of the party, three senior members served in the capacity of the Chairman of Executive Committee: Abdolrahman Boroomand (1980–1987; March–August 1991) Mohammad Moshiri (March 1987–July 1989), Sadegh Sadireh (July 1989–March 1991).[1]:293–294
Financial sources
Soon after its establishment, the organization received some $500,000 contribution from Ashraf Pahlavi.[1]:125 Manouchehr Ghorbanifar allegedly provided them with $10 million,[1]:147 while Ba'athist Iraq also funded the organization with $30 million to $70, plus a $200–250,000 monthly stipend.[1]:187 In March 1986, the organization received contribution sum to the tune of US$100,000/month from the United States. However it was not a CIA initiative, but come directly from above by policymakers.[1]:209 According to Abbas Gholi Bakhtiar (Bakhtiar's cousin and a NAMIR member in charge of propaganda section), he was given a personal gift to the sum of $2 million from Saudi Arabia in 1989.[1]:268
Relations with other opposition groups
The organizations condemned the National Council of Resistance of Iran and rejected any notions of cooperation with the organization founded by Massoud Rajavi of the MEK and Abolhassan Banisadr, President of Iran removed from the office. In 1981, they formed an alliance with the Azadegan Organization, led by Bahram Aryana.[1]:129 They also maintained good relationship with Reza Pahlavi II and Ali Amini.[1]:231, 291–3
References
- Khonsari, Mehrdad (1995). The National Movement of the Iranian Resistance 1979-1991: The role of a banned opposition movement in international politics (Ph.D. thesis). London School of Economics and Political Science. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2017-10-25.