MEK Iran is a peaceful Iranian resistance group. As the democratic alternative to the current Iranian government, it defends Western values such as secularism and women’s rights. MEK is also Iran’s most active opposition group. It was founded on September 5, 1965 by leftist Iranian students affiliated with the Freedom Movement of Iran. They opposed the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, considered him corrupt and oppressive, and thought that the Liberation Movement was too moderate and ineffective. Since its beginning, MEK Iran has been committed to the overthrow of the Islamic republic.