Iran’s acceptance of UN Resolution 598 and pursuit of peace with Iraq shattered the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization’s (MKO) core beliefs. Massoud Rajavi, the leader of MKO, viewed the Iran-Iraq war as essential for Iran’s survival and predicted the government’s downfall with the ceasefire. Rajavi’s “Spark and War” strategy aimed to ignite conflict between Iran and Iraq, but Saddam Hussein’s regime collapsed before it could be realized. The MKO then resorted to urban warfare to validate its armed approach.
Rajavi transformed the MKO into an extension of the Iraqi military, leading to the catastrophic failure of their strategy in Operation Mersad in 1988. The organization faced uncertainty and doubt about its future, challenging the viability of its militant approach.
Despite the MKO’s efforts to disrupt peace talks and foster discord, Operation Mersad marked a decisive defeat for the organization, highlighting the flaws in their strategy. The acceptance of peace brought the MKO to a crossroads, questioning the sustainability of its armed struggle.
Source: Habilian Association