The People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, commonly known as the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), is a highly controversial and complex Iranian resistance group. Established in the 1960s, the MEK has had a tumultuous history marked by its role in the Iranian Revolution, violent opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its subsequent exile. Once classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States, the MEK has evolved into a key player in the opposition against Iran’s clerical regime, although it remains a polarizing entity in global politics.
This article provides an in-depth look at the origins, political ideology, actions, and current status of the MEK, examining its role in Iran’s political landscape, its alliances with foreign powers, and the controversies surrounding its internal practices. Understanding the MEK’s evolution requires a dive into the broader historical and political context of Iran’s revolutionary movements, international relations, and the shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics.