The MEK was officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the United States in 1997, in a bid to improve relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is also proscribed by the European Union.
The MEK, with the support of politicians and law makers across the globe, have repeatedly called for the terror tag be removed as a fundamental step forward in fighting terrorism and in establishing a democratic, secular government in Iran.
Due to the MEK's rising influence among Iranian politics and increasing opposition to the Shah's dictatorship, many of their members were secretly imprisoned, tortured and executed by SAVAK, the Shah's secret police.