Rajavi's failed coup attempt on June 20 (30 Khordad)—based on the delusion of seizing power by creating a rift at the highest levels of leadership—along with the counterproductive results of major operations aimed at eliminating all officials of the Islamic Republic on June 28 (7 Tir) and August 30 (8 Shahrivar), prompted him to try his luck once again on September 27 (5 Mehr) by launching an armed demonstration.
The choice of September 27 was the result of intelligence gathered by the MEK from the war fronts. Precisely when Iranian fighters were carrying out large-scale maneuvers to break the siege of Abadan, and when all forces had left the cities for this critical operation, Rajavi—with the vain hope of exploiting the situation—ordered his forces to stage an armed demonstration.
Another very important point about this terrorist assault on the streets was that, after despairing of changes at the top and his inability to confront the ruling system, Rajavi suddenly remembered slogans about a popular base, armed revolution, and the people joining him. He himself was the first to believe his own lie, telling his forces: "If they pour into the streets, chant slogans against the Revolution's leadership and government, and make every opponent's chest a target for their bullets, the people will join them, and a revolution will occur."
Beyond Rajavi's foolish understanding of revolution and how a popular movement is formed—and his reliance on terrorist methods, which completely contradict the consciousness-raising that is fundamental to any popular movement—he harbored another ambition. He knew better than anyone that such desperate actions would bring him no benefit. Yet he sought to terrorize the people.
Believing that whoever has more force wins and that no one will hold the victor accountable, he took advantage of the cities being emptied of security forces to try to create a bloodbath and a terrifying Stalinist atmosphere in the capital, hoping to ride that wave.
On September 27, hours of terrorist clashes left many innocent people dead. The accommodation centers for war refugees on Taleghani Street in Tehran were raked with machine-gun fire. Hours of violence, blood, and fire ruled the city. But not a single person—not one—was intimidated by this atmosphere, joined the MEK, or raised a voice in their support.
September 27 forever buried the illusion that the MEK had any popular base. From then on, understanding this undeniable social reality, the MEK leadership resorted to the most treacherous methods against the Iranian people to achieve its goals and take revenge on all the people of Iran.
Confessions of Majid Safaei, member of one of the MEK's terrorist units:
"…I, Majid Safaei, son of Hossein, born in 1964, a member of the operational team on September 27, 1981, was arrested by the IRGC… After meeting with Shahdad, we went to a coffeehouse together. Shahdad explained that today there would be a big operation in which many people might be killed. He said I had to be at the intersection of Taleghani and Valiasr Streets at the appointed time. The operation was supposed to start at 9 o'clock…
I met another person named Farid… We went to a side street parallel to Taleghani Street where there was a car. After getting in the car—Farid was driving—we heard the sound of gunfire. Farid lost control, and the car fell into a ditch. I took the wheel and drove from there to Taleghani-Valiasr and then into Taleghani Street. At that time, the sound of gunfire could still be heard from near and far…
Then we picked up Rahman, who was waiting for us, and went to an alley on the south side of Taleghani Street. But Farid said, 'Let's get out; this place is no good.' We got out at the marked spot (X) and started to dismount, but we were panicked and didn't know what to do. After arming ourselves with G3 rifles, we started firing into the air.
Meanwhile, when the operation started—before we reached Taleghani Street—most people had already left the area, but a few were still around. In the early moments, Farid got into a fight with a man. I saw the man trying to take Farid's weapon. Farid shot him, and I think he was killed. Then, somehow, Farid's leg was wounded…
At that moment, I saw another operational unit. I didn't know any of them. They were shouting and firing into the air. Then they stopped a suspicious man on a 125cc motorcycle and asked for his ID or something. The man abandoned his motorcycle and started to run. A few moments later, those on the western side of Taleghani Street shot and hit him…
At that time, Rahman shouted, 'I got him! I got him!' But I couldn't see because the spot he hit was far away. Then, while he was sitting on his knees firing, they located him and shot him. I think he was killed… As a result, we—who wanted to block the IRGC members from entering Taleghani Street and essentially Valiasr Street—could not do so…"