April 8, 2026

The announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan, after tense and destructive days, although fragile and unstable, is a step towards stopping the war machine that has, above all, targeted the lives and livelihoods of the people of Iran and the region. Although this ceasefire is the result of the balance of power between the two sides of the war and the inability of the United States to force the Islamic Republic to surrender and defeat of the regime change project through bombs and missiles, it provides the Iranian people with a vital opportunity to once again raise their voices for humane and freedom-seeking demands and make them heard by the world.

War, above all, targets the lives, existence, and livelihoods of the people. What has happened to our Iran in recent days has not only taken the lives of people and destroyed economic and social infrastructure, but also jeopardized the psychological security, livelihoods, and future of millions of people. History has shown that continuing war, especially in conditions where people are deprived of their most basic rights, does not lead to democracy. On the contrary, a war atmosphere has always led to the strengthening of repressive, military, and security forces and further limits the possibility of any civil and freedom-seeking action.

Now that a temporary ceasefire has been established, in addition to trying to end the war through diplomacy, the first and most immediate action is to save the lives and release the political prisoners. The prisons of the Islamic Republic have been full of political, civil, labor, student, and freedom-seeking women activists for years, who are imprisoned solely for demanding their basic rights. The people’s deep hatred of the Trump administration’s aggression and adventurism, as well as Israel’s war-mongering policies, does not create any legitimacy for the Islamic Republic’s regime. This regime had the blood of protesters on its hands before the war, and in January alone, it carried out a massacre that killed thousands in two days. During the same war, the regime did not stop arresting and executing people, the latest of which was the execution of three prisoners who participated in the January revolutionary uprising in the last days of the war. Before that, it also handed over a number of other political prisoners to death squads during the war. These actions show that at the height of external crises, the domestic repression machine does not stop working for a moment. This fact doubles the need to focus on demanding the release of political prisoners. The Iranian people must be vigilant and not let the regime take revenge on political prisoners even during the ceasefire. Access to information, business prosperity, and immediate access to the Internet must also be provided.

The Left Party of Iran calls on the struggling Iranian people not to forget political prisoners. Defending their lives and freedom, immediately halting executions, and unconditionally releasing all political prisoners is an urgent and humane duty for all of us. Every voice of protest, every united action, and every effort to expose the situation of political prisoners can be a step towards breaking down prison walls and ending injustice.

We also call on political parties and organizations to take their responsibilities more seriously in these critical circumstances. Inside the country, strengthening people's organizations to help those affected by the war and solidarity networks can help reduce the suffering caused by the war. Abroad, organizing international support and raising the issue of providing assistance to the Iranian people should be on the agenda. In this regard, it is essential that international institutions mobilize to provide medicine, medical equipment, and other basic needs to the war-torn people of Iran.

The Left Party of Iran, welcoming the announced ceasefire and the appointment for negotiations, emphasizes on its stabilization and strengthening in order to resolve the conflicts. It is vital that the ceasefire leads to a complete cessation of the war and opens the paths of peace, freedom, and social justice. Without the release of political prisoners and an end to internal repression, there will be no lasting peace.

Political-Executive Board of the Left Party of Iran
April 8, 2026