The newly founded Iran-Novin Party - INP - meaning "Party of New Iran" - (Persian: حزب ایران نوین), emerged[1] in January 2023 through the efforts of Iranian members of the Farashgard-Foundation and other exiled political activists[2] who sought the establishment of a new political party.
This new Iran-Novin Party (INP) owes its name to the old Iran Novin Party (New Iran Party) of the same name (dissolved in 1975), which was founded in Iran in 1963,[3] with the aim of modernizing Iran and achieving this during their government tenure (1964 to 1975).[4]
The genesis of the newly formed Iran-Novin Party (INP) is rooted in the ideological stream known as "Pahlavism."[5] This means that the founders of the INP perceive themselves and their party as heirs to the Constitutional Revolution of 1906. They firmly believe that the two Pahlavi monarchs, Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, played pivotal roles in instituting constitutional frameworks in Iran. These endeavors received staunch support from patriotic Iranians dedicated to the nation's reconstruction, yielding remarkable achievements.
As for the members of the new Iran-Novin Party (INP), they view themselves as heirs to this rich political legacy.
In the wake of the massive protests by the people of Iran against the theocracy of the Islamic Republic in recent years (especially in 2023), the Iran-Novin Party (INP) has committed itself to the abolition of the Islamic Republic in Iran and the establishment of a parliamentary, liberal and democratic system as the most worthy form of government for the future of Iran.
In terms of economic policy, the Iran-Novin Party stands for economic liberalism. According to the party, "maintaining the security of private property is one of the foundations of the progress and development of society." Therefore, the Iran-Novin Party "considers the constitutionalists’ wishes and the Pahlavi kings’ excellent experience as its light and believes that the great Reza Shah played a remarkable role in realizing many constitutional ideals."
In contrast to some other Iranian political parties in exile,[6] which themselves were directly involved in the overthrow of the constitutional monarchy in Iran and the founding of the Islamic Republic, the Iran-Novin Party condemns the Islamic Revolution in Iran (1979) entirely as an "ideological rebellion in which the outdated Islamic fundamentalists and stateless communists played a significant role."
In order to give itself a democratically elected leadership and an official party platform voted upon by its members, the 1st Congress of the Iran-Novin Party took place on October 27 and 28, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.[7] [8] The opening speech was given by Yasmine Pahlavi, who reminded the members of the new Iran-Novin Party (INP) of the great tradition of the old Ira-Novin party, whose members strived for the prosperity and well-being of all Iranians. She called upon the new Iran-Novin Party (INP) to always remain committed to this important responsibility.[9] [10]
At this congress, in addition to the election of other members of the party's leadership bodies,[11] Dr. Hamed Sheibanyrad elected as first chairman of the Iran-Novin Party for a two-year term. After his election, he defined the INP's upcoming work in three stages: actions leading to the collapse of the Islamic Republic regime; Activities that will be necessary for the first 100 days after the fall of the regime in the transition period to democracy, as well as long-term measures after the establishment of democracy in the country. The party program was also adopted.
Other political parties such as the "Constitutionalist Party of Iran - Liberal Democratic" and[12] the exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi congratulated the Iran-Novin Party (INP) on its first congress.[13]
From the party program[14] adopted at the founding congress in October 2023, the following positions of the Iran-Novin Party can be highlighted:
• The Iran-Novin Party considers the country's independence from the domination and influence of foreign governments or elements a national necessity and asserts its fundamental belief in Iran's national and territorial integrity.
• The Iran-Novin Party considers the Persian language the country's national language based on historical evidence and does not find this in any way in conflict with the need to protect and strengthen and expand other languages and dialects in the country.
• While believing in the market economy, the Iran Novin Party considers government regulations and market operation under the mentioned regulations inevitable.
• The Iran-Novin Party upholds the values of liberal democracy in politics and sees secularism as a vital and unavoidable basis for it.
• The Iran-Novin Party believes that good governance requires the rule of law. They see a stable democracy as one that follows a democratic rule of law, which is based on the separation of powers and ensures the fundamental rights of citizens.
• The Iran-Novin Party believes that adhering to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights principles and provisions is crucial for maintaining a stable political environment in Iran.
• The Iran-Novin Party considers competition and meritocracy in all political, social, and economic spheres essential for the country's progress.
• The Iran-Novin Party considers it necessary to establish public and private social security systems under government regulations.
• The Iran Novin Party believes that the government has a fundamental duty to provide free education for all Iranian applicants, at least until the end of secondary school.