23rd April 2025

Press release

The Committee for the Defence of Iranian People’s Rights (CODIR) has welcomed the progress made so far in talks between the United States and Iran as a step towards limiting the possibility of a military attack upon Iran by either the United States or Israel. 

However, while welcoming the continuation of the negotiations between the US and the theocratic dictatorship in Iran, which for the moment maintains peace for the Iranian people, CODIR remains cautious as the material content of the negotiations has so far been kept secret.

Also, given the mixed messages which emanate from the US, as well as the aggressive lining up of the Pentagon’s war machine near Iran’s borders, the situation could easily quickly shift towards an increase of military tension and the outbreak of conflict. 

While the solidarity organisation continues to highlight the human rights abuses of the theocratic dictatorship in Iran, CODIR also recognises that any military engagement will be potentially devastating for the Iranian people.   

“We know that the engagement of the Iranian regime in talks with the US is about little more than self preservation”, said CODIR General Secretary, Gawain Little, “but dialogue which will reduce tension in the region must be welcomed.  We are also conscious that for US business interests Iran represents a potentially lucrative market and a deal which opens that market up to the United States will be part of the thinking of US negotiators.”

There have been clear indications from the Iranian regime that they would welcome American investment as a quid pro quo for the lifting of sanctions and the withdrawal of the threat of military action.

The progressive opposition within Iran is clear that, given the weak negotiating position of the Islamic Republic, because of the threat of military action and an economy crippled by sanctions, the main goal of Iran’s representatives in negotiating with the US behind closed doors is to secretly make concessions, in exchange for obtaining the necessary investment guarantees that would serve to save the existing regime.

CODIR is calling for peace, trade union and human rights organisations in Britain to back the call for talks to reach a peaceful conclusion in the interests of reconstruction  in the country and the urgent needs of the population in Iran rather than those of the current regime or the interests of American big business.

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:-

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: [email protected]

Further information on CODIR

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights.  It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK, the peace movement, all major political parties and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran’s prisons.  Major trade unions in Britain are affiliated to CODIR and support its campaign for peace, human and democratic rights, and social justice in Iran.

CODIR has published Iran Today, its quarterly journal, since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate its solidarity with the people of Iran.

In recent years CODIR has worked closely with Stop the War Coalition and has been vocal against any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the nation.