After Iranian parliament voted for a draft to discuss whether Abolhasan Banisadr - Iran’s first post-Revolution president and the main supporter of the anti-Revolution groups - was “politically incompetent”, the MEK quickly plotted a riot in the same day the parliament was to discuss the draft. The MEK intended to publicly show its support for the president and enmity towards the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khomeini.
In June 20, 1981, the MEK issued its first politico-military statement to call for a public protest and declare an armed struggle against the Islamic Republic. In the statement, the MEK commanded its supporters to rush to the street carrying any cold weapons and firearms. The cult intended to “put supporters of Imam Khomeini in their place”, using cutters, knives, screwdrivers, etc.
At 4 p.m., the MEK members began their attacks on Tehran’s innocent people in Taleqani, Vali-e-Asr, Enqelab and Sohrevardi streets as well as in Ferdowsi Square, dreaming that they would take the control of the whole city before Banisadr would be toppled. Due to their crimes, dozens of people were killed and hundreds were wounded in only a few hours. Anything symbolizing Islam was attacked by the MEK. They even poured acid on hijabbed girls’ faces.
Masoud Rajavi had promised his supporters to capture all Police stations in a few hours. However, the attacks came to failure in the early evening. Rajavi fled the country in a few weeks and the whole organization moved abroad as a result. This was the biggest failure for an organization that assumed 40% of Iranian army and 50% of the people as its supporters.