A senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said any attack on Iran's nuclear sites would spark an unprecedented regional conflagration and provided detailed threats of retaliation to Israeli and US interests.
Now in its 17th year, the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is a leading annual event organized by a coalition of 25 non-governmental organizations.
It convenes activists globally ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's main session to bolster international awareness of human rights issues.
In a keynote address titled The Struggle for Freedom in Iran, Iran's exiled prince Reza Pahlavi called for international support in confronting Iran’s leadership, describing its rule as having been built on repression.
“The Iranian people have endured more than four decades of suffering, yet their spirit remains unbroken,” he said. “They are fighting not just for themselves but for the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.”
Pahlavi criticized what he called the international community’s failure to hold Iran’s government accountable.
“I stand here on behalf of my compatriots, who have, for far too long, been silenced, not only by the tyrannical government that occupies our country, but by the ideological bias that distorts the truth about Iran.”
He warned that Iran’s leadership extends its repression beyond its borders, using its "embassies and so-called cultural centers as bases for espionage and terrorism across Europe."
“To those who seek to silence us or stand in our way, I say: we are not waiting for your green light,” he added.
Another panel highlighted the Islamic Republic’s repression of protesters during the nationwide Woman Life Freedom protests sparked by the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022, featuring firsthand accounts from victims.
Moderated by Iranian-Canadian activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the discussion featured Mahan Mehrabi, whose brother Mahmoud Mehrabi is imprisoned in Iran; Maryam Diyor, whose 16-year-old son Abolfazl Amir-Ataei was killed while protesting and Saman Pouryaghma, who was shot in the eye and partially blinded during demonstrations.
"Let history note that this regime not only silences dissent by arresting peaceful protesters, but arrests the lawyers defending them, or representing them, and the journalists reporting them. It not only executes political prisoners, but arrests and harasses the family members that are trying to mourn them," Afshin-Jam said.
The panelists spoke about state violence, imprisonment and the struggle for justice as international calls grow for accountability over Iran’s crackdown on dissent.
Calling on the international community to act instead of expressing concern, Mehrabi said, "History will judge us by our actions, not our words."
“For the mothers who mourn, the prisoners who languish, and the countless Iranians who perish unheard, I implore you: See Iran's suffering. Don't be complicit in these crimes. Be a voice for freedom.”
“On the morning of September 21st, my son shared a story on Instagram in protest. Later that day, he went into the streets," she added. "That afternoon, forces of the Islamic Republic brutally shot my 16-year-old son in the head with tear gas at a close range,” Diyor said, breaking into tears.
“The people of Iran do not recognize the Islamic Republic as their legitimate government. This regime does not represent us," said Pouryaghma.
"To the international community I ask, cut your diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic, take immediate action to free our political prisoners, and put maximum pressure on the regime to stop the executions,” he added.
Videos and images on social media showed hundreds of Iranians gathered outside the building, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Pahlavi and the summit's agenda.
Last year, Iran International was named the winner of the 2024 Geneva Summit Courage Award for what organizers described as fearlessly uncovering the daily abuses of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"If Iran’s nuclear facilities are attacked, a fire will erupt in the region with dimensions beyond imagination," IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh said, days after US newspapers said Israel was mulling strikes this year.
The remarks were the clearest delineation in months by a senior Iranian military official of a potential response to an attack which US intelligence assessments see Israel as more willing to carry out after military setbacks for Tehran.
“If we engage in conflict with the US, we have enough targets in the region that we can strike with low-cost missiles,” Hajizadeh said. “If instead of 150 drones, we use 500 or even 1,000 drones, what can they possibly do?” he added.
The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post reported last week cited US intelligence findings from last month that Israel saw an opening for an attack on Iranian nuclear sites as early as the first of this year.
Israel is basing its assessment, the papers reported, on Iran's weakness after an Oct. 26 Israeli attack knocked out much of its air defenses and a greater perceived receptiveness to military action from US President Donald Trump.
Hajizadeh added Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had repeatedly personally followed up on Iran's anti-ballistic missile defenses, which he said would soon be ready.
“Some say that if we do not negotiate, they might attack. No one should worry; they can do absolutely nothing,” Hajizadeh said. Iran is working on extending its missile range to 2,000 km, he added, saying that US interests could be handily struck with less high-tech ordnance.
"The US has nearby targets around us that can be hit with low-cost missiles—there is no need to use intercontinental missiles from here."
'True Promise 3'
The senior commander also became the second high-ranking IRGC official in to vow another direct attack on Israel, ratcheting up rhetoric against its Mideast adversary.
“Iran’s third attack on Israel, True Promise 3, will definitely take place, but officials have planned for it and will use it strategically—we will not waste it,” Hajizadeh added.
Vows of retaliation following Oct. 26 Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces had largely subsided weeks after the attack.
Iran condemned the operation, which killed five people including four military officers and a civilian. Tehran said air defenses intercepted most of the incoming strikes.
Without detailing the losses the Islamic Republic has suffered in previous Israeli attacks, the IRGC Aerospace commander added, “Warfare is not just about striking; we must also be prepared to take hits."
"In fact, these attacks have not been entirely bad for us because they made officials pay more attention and allocate more funds and resources to us,” he added.
His remarks come after Khamenei has rejected US President Donald Trump's overtures for a nuclear deal, deepening a standoff with Washington.
Khamenei said on Monday that Iran could fend off an attack by its enemies and added the next day that Trump's plan to seize Gaza and displace Palestinians - now a key plank of US Mideast policy - was 'stupid' and doomed to failure.
