The world watched in stunned silence when Masih Alinejad, an outspoken Iranian activist and prominent critic of the Islamic Republic, delivered a bold and unfiltered message to the Iranian regime — directly confronting them with a phrase that will echo far beyond the walls of the United Nations: “You have tried to kill me three times.” The line was not rhetorical or figurative; it was a chilling reminder of the real and ongoing attempts on her life allegedly orchestrated by Tehran’s regime against a dissident living in exile.
Alinejad’s fiery confrontation before the United Nations Security Council during an emergency session highlights not only her personal courage, but also the perilous state of human rights in Iran as protests erupt across the country and the international community struggles to respond meaningfully.
Who Is Masih Alinejad? A Life of Activism and Conflict with the Iranian Regime
Masih Alinejad is an Iranian-born journalist, women’s rights activist, and vocal critic of the clerical regime in Tehran. She became widely known for her campaign “My Stealthy Freedom,” which encouraged Iranian women to share images and videos of themselves without compulsory hijab — a direct challenge to Iran’s strict dress codes and broader repression of women’s freedoms.
Born in Iran, Alinejad fled the country after facing escalating persecution. Her family members were reportedly harassed, detained, and pressured by Iranian intelligence forces as retaliation for her activism, a tactic frequently used by Tehran to coerce dissidents into silence.
Now a U.S. citizen residing in Brooklyn, New York, she continues to amplify the voices of millions inside Iran, especially women and young people demanding freedom, dignity, and political reform. Her growing influence has placed her squarely in the crosshairs of the Iranian regime — and her testimony before the UN reflects the personal cost of speaking truth to power.
“You Have Tried to Kill Me Three Times” — A Stark Testimony at the UN
On January 15, 2026, at an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, Masih Alinejad delivered a scathing indictment of the Iranian government’s actions both domestically and abroad. Speaking directly to the Iranian representative, she accused Tehran of repeatedly attempting to assassinate her. “You have tried to kill me three times,” she declared, underscoring that these weren’t abstract threats but documented plots involving real agents, hitmen, and violent intent.
Alinejad described seeing her would-be assassin outside her own home in Brooklyn, and at times even in court hearings, emphasizing that the attempts were not speculative but based on direct encounters and confirmed by confessions in legal proceedings.
She framed her survival as tied not to luck, but to the protection offered by U.S. law enforcement — protection not afforded to countless others inside Iran who lack any safeguards. “I live with survivor’s guilt because many Iranians do not have the same protection,” she told the council.
Assassination and Kidnapping Attempts: The Evidence Behind the Claim
Alinejad’s claim of three assassination attempts is grounded in several documented incidents that have been made public through court filings, press releases, and international human rights organizations:
1. Plot to Kidnap and Forcibly Remove Her to Iran (2021)
One of the earliest serious threats involved a plot to abduct Alinejad from U.S. soil, transport her to Venezuela — an ally of Tehran — and ultimately send her to Iran. Four alleged Iranian operatives were indicted in U.S. courts in connection with this kidnapping plan.
2. Assassination Attempt Outside Her Brooklyn Home (2022)
In July 2022, Khalid Mehdiyev, a suspected agent affiliated with the Russian criminal organization Thieves-in-Law, was arrested outside Alinejad’s Brooklyn residence carrying an AK-47 and multiple magazines of ammunition. Prosecutors said he had been hired by Iranian operatives linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
3. Additional Murder Plots and Federal Charges (2024)
In late 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged multiple individuals — including Farhad Shakeri, Carlisle Rivera, and Jonathon Loadholt — in connection with a murder-for-hire plot directed by Iran’s IRGC to kill Alinejad on U.S. soil. This was described by human rights advocates as the third attempt on her life orchestrated by agents of the Iranian regime.
These attempts, plotted thousands of miles from Tehran, illustrate what Alinejad and other activists call transnational repression — the regime’s use of targeted violence and intimidation beyond its borders to silence critics.
The International Context: Iran’s Brutal Crackdown and Global Outcry
Alinejad’s testimony did not occur in a vacuum. She spoke at a moment of heightened international scrutiny over Iran’s domestic crackdown on widespread protests. Human rights organizations and U.S. officials have documented thousands of deaths, mass arrests, and violent state actions against demonstrators demanding political change and economic reform.
During her address, Alinejad also highlighted Iran’s use of internet blackouts to conceal atrocities and disrupt communication — a tactic widely reported by independent sources to stifle information flow during times of protest.
Her charges extend beyond the personal to condemn Tehran’s broader behavior as state terror, comparing elements of the regime’s conduct to extremist groups and stressing that mere condemnation without action will not end the violence.
Global Response and the Fight for Accountability
Alinejad’s speech has reinvigorated calls for international accountability. Western governments, including the United States and members of the European Union and G7, have condemned Iran’s repression and imposed sanctions on senior officials tied to human rights abuses.
Yet, critics argue that continued diplomatic engagement without firm consequences — including targeted sanctions, legal accountability, and protections against transnational repression — emboldens Tehran’s leaders.
Alinejad herself has called for the regime to be brought before international courts to answer for its systemic violations of human rights and attempts to silence dissent, even on foreign soil.
Courage in the Face of Danger: A Symbol of Resistance
Despite the personal danger and repeated attempts on her life, Masih Alinejad continues to amplify the voices of those inside Iran who face brutal repression. Her willingness to confront the world’s bodies — including the United Nations — underscores both her resilience and the urgency of the moment.
“You cannot kill all the people,” she told Iran’s representative at the UN, capturing not just her own defiance, but the spirit of resistance among countless Iranians demanding dignity and freedom.
In a world where authoritarian regimes often act with impunity, Alinejad’s testimony stands as a stark reminder: **the battle for human rights transcends borders, and the cost of truth can be unforgiving — but it must still be told.**
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