In the wake of sustained anti-government protests in Iran, questions have emerged in Albanian and international media about the role of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK)—an exiled Iranian opposition group hosted in Albania. Although the organization is vocal about its influence on events inside Iran, experts and analysts suggest its actual impact on the ground is more limited than its claims.
Who Are the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK)?
The MEK (People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran) is a controversial Iranian opposition group rooted in a complex history of political activism, armed struggle, and exile. Formed in the 1960s with a blend of Islamic and socialist ideology, the organization fought against the Shah’s regime and later broke with Iran’s theocratic rulers after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After periods of armed conflict—particularly during the Iran-Iraq War, when the group operated from bases in Iraq—the MEK was eventually removed from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2012. It later established a large enclave near Manëz, Durrës, Albania, where around 3,000 members live in what is often described as a fortified camp.
Albania agreed to host the group in 2013 at the request of the United Nations and the United States, making the tiny Balkan state a significant hub for one of the most prominent exiled Iranian dissident movements.
Protests in Iran: A Grassroots Movement
The recent wave of protests across Iran stems primarily from deep-rooted economic hardship, political dissatisfaction, and social grievances, according to Middle East experts. These protests have drawn participants from various demographics—including market traders, students, and residents of provincial cities—not from any single central leadership.
For analysts such as Andreas Krieg, protests reflect organic and widespread dissatisfaction rather than a movement directed by an external organization. They emerge through local mobilization, workplace networks, and university communities rather than hierarchical commands.
MEK’s Claims vs. Analysts’ Perspectives
Representatives of the MEK, particularly figures associated with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), assert that the organization is actively involved in the protests. According to MEK supporters, “resistance units” have helped coordinate resistance against Iranian government forces and even protected protestors from attacks by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They also claim that thousands of MEK activists have been killed by Iranian security forces.
However, outside experts urge caution in accepting these claims at face value. They point out that despite MEK’s media visibility and strong messaging, its actual influence within Iran is limited, largely due to a lack of credibility among many ordinary Iranians—given the organization’s controversial past and long years spent in exile.
Some analysis even notes that MEK’s long-standing foreign presence and internal discipline have led to accusations by critics that it sometimes functions in ways perceived as externally imposed—metaphorically likened by some to a “Trojan Horse”—rather than as a homegrown voice of Iranian civil society.
Albania’s Position and Public Coverage
In Albania, media outlets have regularly reported both on the ongoing protests in Iran and on activities related to MEK members living in the Manëz camp. MEK advocates in Albania actively disseminate posts and images on social media about protest developments and activists reportedly killed during demonstrations.
Since September 2022, Albania’s government has maintained no formal diplomatic relations with Iran, stating in public that cyberattacks against Albania were allegedly orchestrated by Tehran—a claim that led to diplomatic rupture. Despite this tense backdrop, Albanian political leaders have not issued direct statements about the current protests.
Broader Implications for Albania
Albania’s role as host to MEK members places it in a unique position within discussions about global protest movements, diaspora politics, and foreign influence. While the MEK’s presence is often highlighted in discussions about Iranian resistance movements, the reality on the ground in Iran points to grassroots protest dynamics rather than a foreign-led insurgency.
The debate over MEK’s role reflects broader global tensions about diaspora political groups, legitimacy, and the complex interplay between social media narratives and realities inside repressive states. These discussions resonate within Albania as it balances its international commitments and domestic political discourse.