Latest / World Ablaze with George Fontes / Iran - War and The Fight for Freedom - With Zolal Habibi

Transcript

Iran - War and The Fight for Freedom - With Zolal Habibi · World Ablaze with George Fontes

0:00
thank you Zalal for coming back appreciate you having on the show last time you're here we
0:11
discussed the implications of U.S. involvement and helping to fight the current in-place Islamic
0:20
regime that has been pretty much suppressing Iran for the past 47 years or so and here we are now
0:28
and we didn't know when this would happen, but apparently it has happened a few days ago.
0:35
So from your perspective, we want to discuss what's next in your mind, what you may know,
0:41
as I know that you do have some connections and I'm sure you get some information
0:45
based on what's really happening in real time. Things that I probably pretty much couldn't
0:51
couldn't gather on my own. So I'm going to rely on you for some of this. So let's discuss
0:57
what's next for Iran right now. Right now, let's just call it what it is. Nobody wants to call it
1:03
a war, but it seems like a war against the regime. And that's exactly what it is. I've also noticed
1:09
that the regime is trying to retaliate, but in doing so, they're retaliating against anybody they
1:14
They assume it's an enemy, even their Muslim neighbors.
1:18
And so where does that leave the people of Iran right now or seem to be caught in the middle of all this?
1:28
First of all, thank you for having me.
1:30
And I'd like to greet everyone who is tuning in.
1:34
Well, the reality is that, unfortunately, a war has broken out and there's no other word for it, I think.
1:43
the reality is, as we said, as we discussed last time, we don't see foreign intervention and war
1:50
as a solution to the situation in Iran, because unfortunately, a war has many different
1:59
implications. I mean, just the casualties and everything. And as you've seen, Iran is not
2:07
Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya
2:10
automatically, I mean, this war
2:12
was targeting the Iranian regime
2:14
the Iranian regime has retaliated
2:16
and now many countries in the region
2:18
are now involved
2:19
I mean, this is, what are we on
2:22
day
2:22
five
2:24
today
2:26
and this is already
2:28
the circumstances that we're
2:30
dealing with, I mean, with even
2:32
rockets and missiles being
2:34
thrown to Cyprus
2:36
So it is going even beyond the Middle East. And that is, you know, considering that Iran isn't the number one state sponsor of terrorism, it's not going to allow itself to go down without, you know, dragging everything else into it.
2:53
And so it's a very critical situation. Unfortunately, this regime, as Khomeini used to say during the Iran-Iraq war, that he would say that he will continue the war till the last house is standing in Tehran.
3:07
this regime is willing to have all of Iran destroyed to keep itself afloat.
3:14
And unfortunately, that is something that we need to take into consideration
3:18
and the implications and the impact that it has on the people of Iran.
3:26
As stated before, I think what's really important right now is to realize that
3:32
the only legitimate, I guess, path forward
3:38
is to allow the Iranian people
3:40
to be able to take their destiny into their own hands
3:44
and to actually overthrow the regime in its entirety
3:48
and determine their country's political future.
3:52
And this is something that has been highlighted
3:53
by the statements that were given by Mrs. Rajavi
3:57
on Saturday after the start of the war
4:02
And right now, you know, we are in this critical juncture.
4:06
I think that this is something that is not being reported as much as it should, because
4:12
a lot of people are just concentrating on, you know, the impact on the regime or, you
4:19
know, more talking about like the bigger picture.
4:23
But what is not being really addressed is, you know, what is happening to the people of
4:28
Iran?
4:29
What is their circumstances?
4:30
And of course, I mean, there has been, it's been over 120 hours now, I think, I think it's close to like 150 hours now, practically that there hasn't been any internet connection in Iran. So it's very limited information that is coming out. So we don't have like the exact information about what is going on on the ground completely.
4:53
but what is clear is that the Iranian regime is in a very weak position,
4:59
but it's very important to realize that to be able to see change in Iran,
5:08
it needs to be complete regime change,
5:10
and that has to be implicated by the people of Iran.
5:15
And I think the people of Iran have that potential and that capability
5:21
and that capacity to do it.
5:23
And till now, what has stopped them from doing it has been the policy of appeasement.
5:29
But now that the policy of appeasement is being set aside, I think that we are seeing that on the ground.
5:38
And the fact is that even just five days before the start of the war, we were seeing the operations being carried out by resistance units in Iran.
5:50
A group of 250 members of the resistance units actually attacked the headquarters of Khamenei
6:00
Postol five days before the start of the war.
6:05
And it did have a high death toll and arrest.
6:15
but it had a message also for the regime and for the people of Iran because the regime,
6:23
one of the things that they started addressing like that day immediately was how is it that,
6:28
how weak has our system become that 250 people organized are able to carry out a military
6:37
operation or, you know, a armed operation against the headquarters of Hamineh, which is supposed to
6:42
be the safest area in all of Iran. And at a time that Iran was on high alert because they were
6:51
afraid of a war starting. So that in itself, I think, showed the path forward to the people of
6:59
Iran, but also it showed the capability of the resistance units, something that we have been
7:03
speaking of for years in that strategy and the fact that how important it is to have these
7:11
networks on the ground who are local who are able to they know the ins and outs and they are able to
7:19
organize and they're able to move forward um and so unfortunately that um that is something that
7:27
it was at the same time with the negotiations with the regime and everything it didn't get
7:32
the attention that it should have like analysis wise even um i'm not talking about like you know
7:39
trying to make a big deal out of it in the news, but I think that this was one aspect that needs to
7:47
be addressed, what the Iranian people are doing. And we're also seeing, for instance, since the
7:51
start of the war, we're also seeing, for instance, in places like Marivane or Mahabad that people
7:57
attack the prisons and they were able to disarm the suppressive forces and they were able to have
8:03
some of the detainees from the protest or some of the political prisoners released.
8:08
So we are seeing that those kind of activities on the ground, or like, for instance, in Hashgah,
8:15
the Karaj resistance units were able to carry out, they were able to, you know, attack one of the
8:21
barracks of the regime, and they were able to disarm the suppressive forces and were able to
8:25
arm the people to be able to defend themselves in that situation, because it was like day two,
8:31
I think, of the start of the war and the Iranian regime was actually retaliating towards the people.
8:36
So they were able to do that. So we are seeing these movements on the ground, as I said, because of due to the lack of communication right now.
8:46
Maybe not all of it is coming out, but we are seeing this here and there in different regions of Iran.
8:53
And I think that's an important factor to take into consideration.
8:57
and I think that it can have a major impact on the situation
9:04
because I don't think anyone benefits from a dragged out war
9:09
and I also don't think that the scenario of troops on the ground
9:16
is something that's logical even
9:21
and I think that we need to be addressing
9:25
the people of Iran, what they want, what they're striving for, and how they can make it possible
9:33
in these very crucial times. Right. So I don't think anybody has downplayed
9:41
the Iranian people or their need to take over their country, take it back. I mean,
9:48
even President Trump has said so himself. And many people in my circle, we believe the same
9:53
thing. I mean, look, I speak with you. I've spoken with other prominent people in the community,
9:59
and I've spoken to people here in the U.S. that are in my circle that are from Iran,
10:04
consider themselves Persian. And the response from everybody is they're happy this is happening,
10:10
but they're fearful that this can definitely turn for the worse in that it will actually harm
10:17
the Iranian people being caught in a crossfire.
10:21
So there isn't a sentiment from my people that I know, or from me in general, that
10:26
we're not ignoring the Iranian people and the responsibility they have.
10:31
And let's just get down to the reality.
10:34
I don't think the U.S. should take responsibility necessarily and take this away from the Iranian
10:39
people, but what happened needed to happen.
10:42
I think it was long overdue.
10:43
It was over 50 years of bad policy and inaction that let the regime grow to what it was and what it is.
10:50
But there's, in my mind, and you can correct me, the Iranian people want change, but how is that going to come about?
10:57
They're still grossly under, like they don't have the arms, armaments right now to really fight the IRGC.
11:06
Now, there are some insurgencies, like you said, that are actually notable and there is progress.
11:12
but how are we going to get there until they can get to the point where they can actually fight
11:18
against the IRGC before how many actually died this is from what i heard from other interviews
11:23
he actually gave the direction to the IRGC to be able to indiscriminately attack who they think was
11:32
a threat which is why we are seeing these volley of missiles and attacks being just shot at all
11:38
these other neighboring nations that honestly wanted to stay out of the conflict didn't want
11:41
anything to do with it, but they're seen as an enemy because they wouldn't stand with the regime,
11:46
which is, I think, telling to the world that many people were ready for the regime to fall,
11:53
regardless of their religion or what they believe. So how do we move forward and assert
12:02
an authoritarian government based on an ideology that is really about oppression and conquest?
12:08
And how do we do that while we still have religious zealots, basically, in the IRGC, whose whole mission is to uphold exactly what the word is of the clerics?
12:23
Like, that is their motivation.
12:24
We know this.
12:25
And they're well-armed.
12:27
And they seem to be in control right now.
12:29
No matter who steps up or is named the replacement, who is the new Ayatollah, supreme leader, they've been immediately eliminated.
12:36
in secession. They didn't last very long. So it looks to me like the fight is really against the
12:41
IRGC right now. Because from what I've been told, by the way, is that people don't want another
12:47
theocracy. They don't want another religion in control of the nation. So what does that mean,
12:54
though How does Al move forward and come to a realization that we can just put in another cleric another you know instill another theocratic government How do you think they get there
13:09
in your mind? Yeah, I completely agree with a lot of the things that you just mentioned.
13:15
I think that on one hand, well, the policy of appeasement is actually what has led us to this
13:23
point, because as you said, for so long, this policy of appeasement has allowed the regime to
13:28
grow to the extent that it has, that it now has reached the point that there's a point of no
13:35
return, and this has happened. But the reality is that another aspect of that policy of appeasement
13:41
has been all the barriers set forth in front of the Iranian resistance in their fight against the
13:47
regime. Unfortunately, we were the ones who were used as the bargaining chips at every single
13:52
negotiation with the regime, even until last week. And that is a very painful reality. And the people
14:01
of Iran have paid that price severely. The reality is that the Iranian resistance had a national
14:08
liberation army, which was disarmed by the US in 2003. Because once they entered Iraq,
14:15
they were worried about Iran's meddling into Iraq. And that was the deal that they were able
14:22
strike with the regime. The regime had said, if you don't want me to enter, you have to eliminate
14:28
the National Liberation Army. And unfortunately, the US and the UK actually specifically bombed
14:34
the bases of the resistance. And then in the whole transfer of power in the US and whatnot,
14:43
they actually disarmed the National Liberation Army, who at the time had, I think,
14:48
And what was interesting on X, I saw a few days ago, someone had posted that the brief from CENTCOM at that time that said, you know, how many over 2,500 armored vehicles and tanks and whatever had been, you know, gathered or confiscated from the National Liberation Army.
15:07
So we had that and we had that potential to bring about that change.
15:13
But unfortunately, the policy of appeasement for 20 years, for 20 something years, has actually, you know, prevented that from taking place.
15:22
But aside from that, I think that even till right now, I mean.
15:29
There are a lot of people that before when we spoke about resistance units, they were like, so how is this going to work?
15:35
How are they going to get this to be able to further their activities?
15:41
The reality is if you look at all the statements that have been given by the National Council of Resistance of Iran in the past four or five years,
15:49
you will see the one call to action that they asked for from the international community is recognize the right of the Iranian people to resist in face of the IRGC and to fight back.
16:00
unfortunately that has been something that has not been acceptable to the international community
16:06
till now now that this war has started everyone is talking about like so how are the people of
16:11
Iran going to get armed and fight back against this regime unfortunately until now it's been
16:16
you know the policy of appeasement that has prevented that from happening but the people
16:21
of Iran I think after January um after the bloodbath and the massacre that the Iranian regime carried
16:27
out, they made that decision. I mean, that was a turning point. A page was turned that can't be
16:35
turned back. And people realized that, you know, at the end of the day, this regime is not going to
16:44
just disappear into thin air. It's not going to be overthrown through peaceful protests.
16:48
We need armed resistance to be able to continue this fight. And that is why we have been seeing
16:54
that forming in Iranian society.
16:57
I mean, as I said, just one example was what happened last week in Tehran, but it's happening
17:05
across the country.
17:07
And so that is why also we heard from, it's about two days now that the Iranian regime
17:13
has been making threats that they're going to also be targeting Albania because that
17:18
is where the Iranian resistance is located because they fear that force.
17:26
And that is why it's a very critical situation.
17:28
And that is why we need to have that understanding.
17:32
I think today what is really important is to recognize the provisional government that
17:38
has been announced by the National Council of Resistance of Iran and for them to be able
17:43
to take on that responsibility.
17:48
I think that our people right now, the reality is that in a war like what we're seeing right now, it's very different from the 12-day war that we saw just in the summer, last summer, because it's not just specific locations that are being targeted.
18:04
It's throughout the country, and it's very extensive. They are hitting places that civilians are located and whatnot. So people have to take shelter in this war.
18:17
So they're not on the streets right now because they need to be taking shelter.
18:22
So this war, simultaneously with this war, the people of Iran can't enter the scene.
18:27
So it has to be one or the other.
18:30
And I think right now is really the time to, because an extended war is not to the benefit of anyone.
18:36
It will have major casualties and casualties that can be prevented.
18:40
So I think at this point, yes, the regime is in a very weak position.
18:45
Khamenei has died.
18:46
A lot of the heads of the regime have been killed. Some of those who have been reported killed, it turns out that they're not dead. It's just been propaganda. So, I mean, the information that's coming out isn't exact or precise, but what is important is to understand that this is a very unique situation, but it's really considering, you know, all the experiences in the Middle East, but specifically Iran.
19:16
Iran is very different because of the geopolitical role that it plays, because of the role that this regime plays.
19:22
So we need to take that into consideration and allow the people of Iran to take the issue into their own hands right now.
19:32
And the Iranian people, I mean, even if you look at it just from a military perspective, the different ethnicities of Iran, even the tribal tribes,
19:46
you know, groups in Iran, they're usually armed. So they do have those capabilities and that
19:53
potential exists in Iranian society. So I think that, and also if you look at the experience that
20:01
we have with the National Liberation Army, the National Liberation Army, it wasn't armed by any
20:05
governments. It was, they were able to, part of it, they purchased themselves. The rest of it was
20:11
confiscated from the regime in their attacks on the regime and whatnot. So we have that experience
20:18
and we know how, I think, the know-how of how this could be done by the Iranian people. And so I think
20:25
it's really time to address that and concentrate on it. But I would like to draw your attention to
20:31
a message that after the confirmation of Khamenei's death, Mrs. Rajavi gave, if we have like
20:40
two, three minutes, I could read it
20:42
because I think it puts things into perspective
20:45
from like a Iranian point of view
20:49
because as you said,
20:52
there are torn feelings on the issue right now
20:57
among the Iranians, even themselves.
20:59
And we're walking on a very thin line here
21:02
because on one hand,
21:06
it's for an intervention, which we don't want.
21:10
On the other hand, you're talking about the elimination of Khamenei and heads of the regime.
21:19
And you're also talking about what are the choices on the ground, what can be done.
21:25
I think also Iranians have some concerns in regards to some of the statements being made.
21:29
For instance, they're looking for someone from within the regime to fill this vacuum.
21:36
like a scenario like Venezuela.
21:38
Well, the reality is that we had said from beforehand,
21:42
I think in the previous podcast,
21:44
I'm not sure if we had addressed this,
21:46
but I think we did,
21:47
that just by removing Khamenei,
21:50
it's not going to resolve the situation
21:51
because that system is still intact
21:58
and it will just replace it.
22:00
Like for instance, right now,
22:01
they're saying Mochitaba is going to be replacing Khamenei.
22:04
So that infrastructure, that structure is still there. So it's not going to make much of a difference. In reality, it's the same system, just the name is changing, and that's not going to be the solution.
22:19
The solution is complete regime change in Iran. We're not going to be seeing stability in the region or democracy flourish in Iran with the same system intact because the whole supreme leader and everything, I mean, that system needs to go. So we have that issue on the ground right now.
22:46
right so let me say a few things about that um we can go back to the resistance and there are
22:55
some uncomfortable truths there uh between the resistance what happened in iraq and how some of
23:01
the iranian people felt about that i'm not going to go into detail um we can talk about that later
23:07
i'll find whatever you want to do but there is that and i know that because i've had pushback
23:12
from releasing previous interviews and whatnot.
23:17
So I'm just going to throw that out there.
23:19
I'm not going to talk about it too much out of respect,
23:21
but here's the deal.
23:23
I don't think the U.S. government's intention, for example,
23:28
or as you said, the intention of anybody
23:30
is to keep this regime going and just say,
23:32
hey, let's put in what always has been.
23:35
Let's just hope we get a better leader
23:37
as part of the regime that is willing to work with everybody
23:40
and be a much nicer person.
23:41
We know that's not going to happen.
23:42
I think that as you said, they just need to be removed completely needs to be reset,
23:49
start over. They should not be in charge. And that's, that's what I agree with.
23:56
But we still haven't, haven't addressed, you know, the, the elephant in the room here is,
24:02
you know, everybody does want the Iranian people to take over. Everyone does, but to deny that this
24:08
would never happen if it wasn't an outside power influence just to get the ball rolling, I think is
24:14
a little naive and not to insult you or anybody else, but it's true. Iranian people and even the
24:20
resistance you're speaking of did not have the power or means to be able to start to tilt this
24:25
balance. Now, that being said, I don't think the U.S. should take responsibility and claim, hey,
24:30
we are the ones that made this happen, so now you owe us. And I don't think that's the correct
24:35
response or the way to go either. I personally, and I think many people want to see Iran be a free
24:41
Iran. We want them to be what they always used to be, which was the jewel of the Middle East.
24:46
And they're a very important nation. Now we can talk about armaments and the people being armed.
24:53
And as you said, while there are some resistance, there's people out there that do have arms,
24:57
but we also can, or it was never enough to fight against the IRGC, period. It just wasn't.
25:03
and they were disarmed.
25:05
And at this moment,
25:07
at this moment,
25:08
the current regime did everything they could
25:10
to suppress any uprising
25:12
in a violent way,
25:15
killed many people for even speaking
25:16
against the regime sometimes.
25:18
So I think personally,
25:21
this is an opinion, by the way,
25:22
it's an opinion, what I'm going to say.
25:24
I think most people are still afraid
25:25
because in their mind, as you said,
25:28
the regime is still in power.
25:29
They are not stamped out.
25:31
I mean, I think many want to act.
25:33
I think many people would join the resistance if they felt that the regime was truly, truly
25:39
on their way out.
25:41
But it doesn't seem that way because, again, the IRGC is still in control.
25:45
Regardless of who the supreme leader might be or who they want to instill as a leader,
25:49
you still have to deal with the IRGC.
25:51
That the other arm of what ruling with a very very tight grip and a very authoritarian and violent way is the IRGC So how how again how again will the Iranian people fight that without partnering with anybody else
26:07
And I'm not saying it has to be the U S whatsoever.
26:09
I would like to see other countries in the Middle East that have always
26:12
opposed the regime stand up and help people as well.
26:16
But why are we not seeing that?
26:17
Why are these relationships not there?
26:20
Because as of now,
26:21
the retaliation of Iran isn't just against the U S it's against everybody.
26:25
It's against everybody in the Gulf.
26:27
I think that many countries in the Middle East, they do fear Iran's, the extent of Iran's
26:39
activities in their own countries, be it with the attacks that the regime is carrying out
26:45
right now, but also their proxy groups and terrorism on the ground in their countries.
26:52
So that is an issue. And that is actually what the regime has always depended on, because this regime from day one has moved forward on two legs.
27:02
One has been internal suppression. The other has been warmongering and what they called export of revolution, but we called export of fundamentalism and terrorism.
27:13
So the regime has always been able to move forward on these two feet.
27:18
The reality is that on both fronts, it has been weakened dramatically.
27:24
But as you said, they're still in power.
27:26
So it hasn't been completely eliminated or anything like that.
27:30
The fall of Bashar Assad was a turning point for this regime.
27:33
And also how Hezbollah has been weakened.
27:37
That's a major bow to the regime and its apparatus.
27:41
But I think that this is something that, as you mentioned,
27:45
And I mean, that's something that is a player.
27:49
And I don't think till the last day we will see countries in the region get involved in any form or way, to be honest.
28:00
But I think that what we are seeing, I think we will be seeing a lot more solidarity and unity among Iranians and different Iranian groups to bring about that regime change.
28:15
And I think that is needed on a greater scale and to be able to overthrow the regime in its entirety.
28:24
Because, as I said, I'm not denying the fact that, you know, we have entered a new phase with the elimination of Khamenei and a lot of the heads of the regime.
28:36
But do we still see it as the solution to Iran?
28:40
No, we don't.
28:42
No, it's not yet.
28:42
So that's the main issue that I would like to address there.
28:48
I think that right now, what is really important is to understand that the death of Khamenei is really, I guess you could say, it's the death of religious tyranny and the end of the regime of the Veneet Haqqi to a great extent.
29:12
But we need to make sure that you put in that last pin on that coffin to make sure that it's not able to spring back or be able to continue in some kind of form.
29:28
Now is the time to establish the freedom and sovereignty of the Iranian people.
29:37
And that is, I think, what we need to concentrate on.
29:40
I think that everyone has been concentrating. I mean, a lot of the talks on, um, in the news and
29:48
different, you know, circles out there analyzing the situation is like what comes next. But I think
29:54
that it's important to address that, but also to be able to, um, I think a lot of people who are
30:03
right now bystanders and just watching, they want to see some kind of a guarantee about like
30:09
what comes next to then be able to come behind it and to support that change and to, you know,
30:16
help the Iranian people or stand by the Iranian people for them to be able to create that final,
30:22
take that final step. I think that that is the point that we're in right now.
30:28
I also think that, you know, the price, as I said, that has been paid already by the people
30:34
everyone um i'm not even talking about them the last 47 years just in jet in you know 2026 it has
30:41
been grave and i think that that in itself has a major potential in society it has created like
30:50
this major potential in society to react and to be able to fight back and i think that um also
30:57
the reality is that even according to the regime itself the regime is very worried that they don't
31:03
have that ideological base anymore.
31:08
As far as the people?
31:10
Yeah, it's really withered away.
31:12
Even inside the IRGC, there are people who are doing everything in their power to keep
31:20
the IRGC strong because they have interest in it, but it's not necessarily ideological.
31:26
They have interest because they're too tied into the system.
31:31
They have their hands in the blood and they know that they will be held accountable.
31:37
So there are these type of things, too, that come into play.
31:40
And that's why they are standing behind the regime with full force, because in it they see their own future.
31:51
Wait, someone argued that it is ideological, though, that they still have that ingrained.
31:58
but in your you're saying that it is not like they're getting away from that because reports
32:03
i've gotten and other people i've talked to have i've said differently um but i think it's very
32:09
yeah i'm sorry i was gonna say i hope they're wrong i do no i mean even if you look at um during the
32:16
the protests in january um and especially in the aftermath you saw a lot of people who were from
32:23
the base of the regime who were like no you just like that was the hay that broke the camel's back
32:30
for them yeah like no no you know you just went too far and they are questioning the regime even
32:36
on ideological basis they're like you you don't represent the things that we wanted you know like
32:44
from my islamic state or whatever so there are those people who um they may have believed in that
32:50
ideal of the regime at some point in time. But right now, because they are seeing how corrupt
32:56
the system is from within. And then they're also seeing, I think the age of technology has come
33:02
to our aid here, especially with social media and everything. They're seeing the lavish lives
33:07
that the heads of the regime are living. And it contradicts that thought that they had. For instance,
33:14
the regime always tries to present hominy as someone who lives a very you know modest
33:20
simple life modest life and this and that and then now they're saying well the reality is that
33:26
he's one of the richest men in the world the reality is that this is how his family is living
33:31
this is how he is you know um living and this is the reality of the regime it was almost like he
33:36
was just living a double standard you know showing people one thing and living another
33:40
Yeah. And the extremes of it, I mean, because it's even more than the lavish life that the Shah lived. So, I mean, that was a turning point in the revolution in 1979. When people, everyone says, you know, the celebrations of the 2,500 year celebrations that were held in Iran, that was a turning point in people realizing we need to revolt.
34:04
So this has also had that kind of impact on those who were, you know, they still remember the 1979 revolution. They have been aligning themselves with the regime on this basis or on the basis that this regime is fighting imperialism and this and that.
34:23
But they're seeing something else on the ground right now or in reality.
34:29
And so they have started to distance themselves from the regime.
34:34
And we're also seeing, I mean, even if you look in the diaspora, you see like a lot of those who have defected from the regime who are now becoming active voices in the diaspora.
34:49
but if you look just till last year they were still in iran and going back and forth and you
34:54
know had no problems with it um but that they just felt feel like you know the days of the
35:00
regime are numbered so maybe it's time to turn with the tide i i hope you're i hope you're right
35:06
what you're saying and what you're hearing and reporting you know there's a lot of there's a lot
35:09
conflicting reports again a lot that comes with this is a huge information war a huge misinformation
35:17
war. So I hope everything you're saying is exactly the truth on this. I'm not saying you're lying,
35:24
but just there's so much going on. It's hard to decipher like what's true, what isn't. Because
35:27
like you said, there's no internet. You're completely right. I think we just have to see
35:31
how it plays out because as you said, there's so much disinformation and misinformation out there
35:37
that it's very difficult to even tell them apart. Understood. Yeah, I agree with you.
35:43
days so yeah here's here's the big question though because uh from my standpoint i need
35:49
how does not just the u.s but other world powers who have who have a stake in this and that they
35:58
they want to see a better iran and a free run how do they help the iranian people because on one side
36:04
it's like we don't want outside interference but on the other they still need assistance in some way
36:11
So what should that be? What should that relationship look like?
36:18
I think this is something that we have to go probably step by step.
36:25
And we might not have a clear understanding of it right now just due to the circumstances that we're in.
36:32
But I think that, you know, if we have that, I guess, yardstick that we are judging things based on, if we have that direction, the direction tells us, you know, allow the people of Iran that leeway for them to be able to take control over the situation.
36:58
the realities. I think one of the things that we keep on missing here is the fact that
37:04
till Friday, it was still the policy of appeasement. So all of a sudden we went from
37:13
policy of appeasement to war. There's something in between these two, and that has been jumps
37:20
from. Allow the people of Iran to create that change and allow them the leeway to do so.
37:26
it means you know stop because unfortunately the backing that the regime has received from the west
37:34
be it from the economic sector or be it from the governments it it has had major implications for
37:42
the people of Iran so once that is being removed we are treading new waters and I think that's
37:49
really important to understand and then then come and sit at the table like what is it that we can
37:54
do if we're not meddling inside of Iran. There's no foreign war, but we're also not backing the
38:02
regime through appeasement. So that's a new chapter, and it needs to be opened really fast
38:08
so people can take the situation into their own hands. But I think that one of the first steps,
38:17
yes, I am saying this as a member of the Iranian resistance, but is to recognize the
38:24
provisional government allow these different groups to come together and work together to be
38:31
able to bring about that change. Because right now, propaganda is a major part of this war,
38:41
this information, as you said, information war that exists. Things are being propped up,
38:46
which are not the reality of Iran. And that's not helpful. And it's creating division
38:54
more than it's creating unity among Iranians.
38:57
So we need to be able to push that aside to be able to concentrate Yes I think it maybe like ideal world for that to happen And it not maybe it not realistic because I mean that is the
39:10
nature of the world. And everyone has their, you know, interests, and they're going to stand by
39:15
their interests of the last minute. But I think that the more that we move forward, at least we're
39:21
seeing this in the Iranian community right now, and the diaspora right now inside, inside of Iran,
39:26
among Iranians too, people are trying to, they're starting to navigate through this.
39:33
And so you see coalitions forming, you see groups coming together and, you know, that
39:41
solidarity that is forming.
39:43
And I think that it is in the first steps, but I think the more that they have the grounds
39:50
to do that, we will be seeing the next steps, you know, become transparent and become clear.
39:59
And that roadmap is going to be put in place. But I think that that first initial step is maybe,
40:06
you know, stopping the war and also recognizing, you know, the legitimacy of the fight of the
40:16
Iranian people and to recognize the provisional government and to be able to put that together.
40:23
And then, you know, hold them accountable, even, you know, what is it that you're standing for and
40:29
what merits and what grounds? What are those principles? What, you know, what are those
40:34
things that you think solidarity needs to be created on? And what are those like red lines
40:38
that you don't want, the people of Iran don't want and try to start discussing that and try to
40:43
start presenting that. So it's not just on paper, you start seeing it in action, you start seeing it
40:50
on the ground. And I think that is when we can, you know, develop the next steps. And this might
40:56
be a very fast paced process. And it might be, and it might take a while. I mean, that is something
41:04
that we will have to get into step by step and start understanding like, what that will look like.
41:13
I don't think, so here's, I agree with you.
41:18
I'm not, this is nothing I'm saying is in disagreement.
41:21
But we keep bringing up the policy of appeasement.
41:27
And I think a lot of people are conflating what that appeasement was.
41:31
A lot of it is, as you said, is what's happened in the Middle East
41:34
with the surrounding neighbors of Iran was fear of the retaliation,
41:39
which is the only reason there was appeasement.
41:41
the amount of weapons they have, the proxies, etc.
41:47
And also, I mean, Keir Starmer is out there right now
41:51
appeasing to Iran right now, the regime.
41:54
And you have to also recognize, as we keep saying here,
41:58
if we're talking about recognition,
42:01
the soft invasion of a lot of these people,
42:05
and I'm just going to say Muslims, to Western nations.
42:09
For what, though?
42:10
if what they believe
42:13
and what they are so vehemently about and behind
42:17
when it came to the Islamic regime,
42:19
because a lot of these people actually believe in that,
42:22
why are they moving into Western nations
42:25
and setting themselves up?
42:27
We cannot ignore that Iran isn't behind
42:30
setting up sleeper cells and everything
42:31
in all these other nations.
42:32
I know this.
42:33
I've done the interviews with DE agents, FBI agents.
42:36
I know the facts.
42:36
I've got all the border patrol and customs encounters,
42:39
data behind me to support this. So, you know, we've in America right now on our southern border,
42:46
we've in 2025 have encountered enough terrorists trying to come through our southern border to put
42:51
80 known terrorists in every state of the United States of America. Those are just the ones they
42:56
caught. So the appeasement everyone keeps speaking of is the fear of the retaliation. Also, let's just
43:04
be honest, our previous presidents, not to offend you, but they had no balls. They didn't do anything.
43:09
They actually released money and funds to Iran.
43:11
For what?
43:12
I have no idea.
43:12
That made no sense to me.
43:14
I think the difference is Trump, as crazy as he may be, and as much as he gets criticized,
43:20
he came through and he did what he promised he would.
43:23
You either make a deal, you either become peaceful, or there will be consequences.
43:29
But even Trump has said he has recognized the fight of the Iranian people.
43:35
It's not that nobody's recognizing it.
43:36
I think you're correct in that the U.S. is a world power.
43:40
So, you know, that's all they're talking about.
43:42
You know, the U.S. and Israel versus Iran.
43:45
But nobody has not dismissed or may not recognize the fight of the Iranian people.
43:51
Everybody has recognized it.
43:52
Everybody has actually said, all Western nations have actually said, we don't need a regime change.
43:57
We need the Iranian people to step up.
44:00
And so that's why my question to you was like, how do we help?
44:02
It wasn't a, hey, let's step in and do it for you.
44:05
it was like what assistance is needed to help them break that barrier and get through and really rise
44:12
up because i still think like you said you know people are still a little unsure the regime is not
44:18
truly stamped out yet so i i get that but i think everybody does want to help i do i don't i don't
44:24
believe this is like years before i think people are really really ready to see iran free and they
44:30
want to get behind the iranian people so i don't know i don't know who's saying this in the media
44:35
I haven't seen any reports where they're trying to discredit the Iranian people.
44:39
And you're right.
44:39
They should talk about that fight more.
44:41
They really should.
44:42
I mean, that should be front and center.
44:43
But just letting you know, that's not the sentiment of America.
44:48
I mean, most Americans, I'll be honest with you, they don't even want to be there.
44:51
They don't even believe in this at all.
44:54
But on the other side of that.
44:55
I agree.
44:56
Yeah, I agree with that.
44:57
And I think that, for instance, to be honest, back when the world didn't even know what
45:04
Islam fundamentalism was, the even resistance tried to raise awareness on that and called
45:10
it the new global threat.
45:11
And no one took it seriously until years later and 9-11 happened.
45:16
And then they're like, oh my God, you guys said this years ago.
45:20
I'm like, yeah, we did say it years ago because we have been fighting it on a day-to-day basis.
45:25
we understand what it's coming from.
45:29
The reality is that I think that the Iranian resistance
45:31
has also drawn that line.
45:33
Like, for instance, one of the things that,
45:36
if there's three things that we constantly stand on
45:41
about the future of Iran is secular democratic republic.
45:46
So separation of religion and states.
45:49
So, you know, republic and democracy.
45:52
So those are like the basics that,
45:54
that's like the thing that we're not willing to negotiate on at any cost so the reality is that
46:01
even though like for instance myself i am a muslim and i'm practicing muslim yeah but i think that
46:08
there should be separation of religion and state because religion is supposed to be a personal
46:13
issue to people it's not supposed to be part of the government or the governance or that people
46:19
should be treated differently based on it,
46:23
be it if they have a religion
46:24
or if they don't have a religion,
46:26
if they follow this or that religion.
46:28
It shouldn't make a difference
46:29
and it shouldn't make an impact
46:30
and it shouldn't be part of that governing system.
46:36
So, and that is actually the solution
46:40
to Islamic fundamentalism.
46:43
The solution, you can't fight Islamic fundamentalism
46:46
with a, you know, a West,
46:51
I don't want to say Western mindset,
46:53
but like with, you know, the West,
46:55
because that's exactly what they use
46:57
to try to recruit people and whatever,
47:00
making it like a crusade type of thing,
47:02
you know, that it's the West against us and this.
47:05
No, but once they are being fought against
47:08
by people who like, you're saying you're Muslim,
47:11
I'm saying I'm Muslim,
47:12
but we're 180 degrees opposite of one another.
47:14
that is the force that has that power to be able to you know push back islamic fundamentalism so
47:21
that is something that we have experienced in the last 40 something years and that is exactly why
47:27
Khomeini called us hypocrites he said because they also carry the name of islam and that is
47:34
the greatest threat to his existence and he kept on saying that over and over and over and even
47:40
And after his death, this is still being continued.
47:42
And every Friday prayer, it's not only death to America, death to Israel, it's death to the Monafi.
47:47
Because they are the ones who it's very difficult to fight against because they are Muslims, but they say we oppose the Islamic Republic or this regime.
47:59
So that's, I think, very key.
48:01
just to clarify because we don't
48:04
I mean that we
48:05
I think this is one thing all Iranians
48:08
agree on that there needs to be separation
48:10
of religion and states in the
48:11
future of Iran so I think that's very
48:14
important to highlight
48:15
but I also
48:17
I want to say something on that as well hold on
48:19
I want to say something on that because I think the problem
48:21
that you just addressed
48:23
the issue
48:24
I don't I personally don't believe
48:27
and I don't think I think any person
48:29
with any critical thinking skills can see that not all Muslims are the same. And what you said
48:36
is true, but we could also say the same thing about Christianity. Here's the problem with what
48:40
we see with Islamic fundamentalism, or extreme Islamic practices. They see it as a doctrine
48:51
stuck in time, the literal translation, and the literal way of living in a time that was thousands
48:58
of years ago, for example, and there are those that don't want to live in a modern world.
49:03
And there's a difference between those people and people who are Muslim, but live in a modern
49:09
world and understand like, well, I guess we just can't throw people off buildings and stone people.
49:13
And there's all this stuff that's written because that's also in the Bible. There's stoning in the
49:17
Bible. There's eye for an eye. There's a lot of things in the Bible that we as Christians or
49:21
Christians don't live by in a modern age. So there's, you can be an extreme Christian and
49:26
live that way, and who could be an extreme Muslim, and we see what we see with these extremist Islamic,
49:31
you know, like the regime we're talking about. So I hope you understand that not everybody just sees
49:36
Muslim, Muslim bad. You know, we do understand there are some that believe in the religion,
49:43
they practice it, but they also live in a modern era, in a modern world, and realize, well,
49:47
some of these things we can't do literally, just as it is in Christianity. Because be honest,
49:51
If you read the Bible, the Old Testament is not kind.
49:56
I'm going to tell you that right now.
49:57
And if Christians lived according to the Old Testament, this would be a very, very different world right now.
50:02
So I just wanted to make that clear as well.
50:05
Not everybody believes all Muslims are bad, by the way.
50:08
The world does not necessarily believe that.
50:10
Of course.
50:11
But you made a great point.
50:13
I think it's really important to highlight that.
50:14
Because, for instance, even when it comes to the understanding of Islam, I mean, in that day and age, 1,400 years ago, 1,500 years ago, the reality was at that time, like, for instance, the Arabs were bearing their daughters alive because they didn't want daughters.
50:35
And so at that time, the prophet came and said, like, my daughter is, you know, important to me and whatever.
50:43
So he changed that, you know, he was changing that mindset.
50:47
And like, for instance, at a time that, you know, people were, there's slavery at the time.
50:52
And so he was acting against slavery.
50:54
So it's, at that time, it was a revolution.
50:56
You couldn't do complete change because people were just like, what are you talking about?
51:01
So it was step by step.
51:02
And you have to understand that.
51:03
and that is like very key in all of the religions i think they actually have the same message and the
51:09
same you know a lot a lot of them have the same fundamental belief of being a good person they
51:14
have the all of them have the same fundamental beliefs it's just like from different eras and
51:20
different times and going out in different ways because of the circumstances at that time and you
51:24
have to understand that you know a thousand years later society has evolved people have evolved you
51:31
need to change with the times and understand and be able to put things into context based on that
51:36
um but in regards to what you were saying in regards to you know what is that solution or
51:42
like the fact that you were saying well this is a reality you know that we're dealing with um
51:48
i think the issue with the sleeper cells is is true and it's a very it's a something that needs
51:55
to be taken seriously i'm telling you i know it's true it is true yeah no no i i know it's true and
52:01
and it needs to be taken seriously.
52:02
And it's a lot more than just
52:04
it's not only just like terrorist things it's even as you said I think there's a video from
52:14
the former intelligence minister of Iran and in it he says that we have ourselves all over Iran
52:23
but I mean all over the world but do you think that we're going to we're not going to send them
52:27
as official people.
52:30
They're going into the media.
52:31
They're going into the even scholastic sectors of societies.
52:41
It's that propaganda war that we were talking about before.
52:44
That has been extended.
52:46
It is part of this war.
52:47
Yeah, but there's two sides to that.
52:50
It's in the schools and the universities, the media.
52:51
So it's going everywhere, even rooting itself in society.
52:55
And that is something that should be of concern.
52:58
And we need to question a lot of things.
53:01
But that's what I was just saying earlier about there being a soft invasion.
53:04
Because that part of it is manipulation of other nations and cultures through media and politics, which we see firsthand that happening right now.
53:16
But there are also those who are armed and ready to literally terrorize those and kill people.
53:24
and just in the U.S. we have seen that through last year and up to this year we just had a
53:33
shooting in Texas at a bar on New Year's we had two National Guards people shot okay we've had
53:41
many other instances where it was related to terrorism to people linked to their belief
53:49
and backing of this Islamic regime that we are discussing.
53:53
So I'm not going to say that it's just going to be in politics and media
53:57
because that is very true what you said, and that's important
54:00
because they could do more damage there than they probably could
54:03
by trying to be violent, especially in such a big nation as the USA
54:09
or even France or UK, but it seems like they understand
54:12
that the best way to fight is through manipulation of the people
54:16
through politics and messaging and media.
54:18
you're absolutely spot on you're correct and i think people need to recognize that but i i just
54:23
didn't want to dismiss that no there's still there still is a violent faction out there that is ready
54:28
to act if need be and they are ingrained i mean as i mentioned it's the number one state sponsor
54:34
of international terrorism yeah i understood something that they they depend on i i i look
54:40
i i just want to see the best for ron and um i i really respect you and respect everything you saying And I hope that you understand that And everything I said is not to be just to oppose what you saying
54:53
I just wanted clarity.
54:54
I wanted to be able to have this discussion.
54:56
I like that you were open to discussion because some people aren't.
54:58
They kind of just want to shut everything down and try to keep it in one lane.
55:04
But again, look, I hope the world can help.
55:07
But I want it to be done as you said.
55:11
listen to the people, listen to what they're asking for. And I think that's going to be the
55:17
difference moving forward, hopefully, that we can actually do that and stop the temptation of trying
55:23
to make another nation to resemble, for example, the USA or France or the UK. Iran needs to be
55:31
Iran, period. We just need to know how to work with Iran and make sure the people are successful
55:36
and are able to rise up and become the country that it always was meant to be.
55:43
Honestly, that's what I think.
55:44
I think that most people see it that way.
55:47
Because again, the sentiment is many people do not want to be in this war.
55:52
The average American did not want this to happen.
55:55
But I also say that we've been on a collision course with the Islamic regime
55:58
for not just 47 years, maybe even before that,
56:02
because they were trying to take control even before that
56:04
until they found the right moment to take over.
56:09
So this was bound to happen.
56:10
Unfortunately, it happened now.
56:11
But you can only kick this can down the road so long.
56:14
At this point, we need the Iranian people to take Iran back.
56:19
We just need to understand how to help make that happen.
56:24
I completely agree on that.
56:27
It is time for the Iranian people to take back their country
56:30
and to be able to, you know, it's taking the responsibility.
56:34
you know instead of you know having that because right now unfortunately like this has become part
56:40
of our culture like that lame great lame game yeah you know agreed because it's because we've always
56:45
unfortunately have had foreign intervention in our country i mean the last century
56:50
unfortunately foreign intervention um each step of the way so right now it's that day that final day
56:56
that look it's on us you need to put that responsibility on your own shoulder and bring
57:01
be that change that you want to see in Iranian society, bring about that change.
57:06
And so that is what we're aiming for.
57:07
And that is what is being outlined by the National Council of Resistance, everyone.
57:12
And hopefully we will be able to prevail.
57:15
And for us, I think at the end of the day, what is important, and I'd like to emphasize
57:21
this one and Ms Rajavi also emphasized this in her message after the death of Khamenei is that the NCRI and the provisional government are not seeking power but rather the transfer of power to the sovereignty of the Iranian people
57:38
I know that a lot of people think that that's just like rhetoric or that's just like a line, but it really isn't, especially when you understand the fact that, you know, people who are in this movement.
57:50
uh i was actually we had a woman's conference last week and one of the personalities who was
57:57
in attendance she raised a in one of the workshops that we had she raised a very important issue
58:03
like i thought it was really important actually but she said you know when you look at mrs brahjav
58:08
she has been fighting for freedom and around since she was 19 that's over 50 years now yeah and just
58:16
imagine day in day out every single day without one one day of living your own life and you know
58:24
not being part of this fight not even one day so when when you're doing something like that
58:30
it's it can't be out of wanting power or seeking power or you know fame or financial benefits
58:40
they're really in it for the freedom of their people. I mean, I could have easily had a very
58:47
comfortable life in the US. And I put that aside and joined this resistance 26 years ago,
58:53
you know, with only the aim of, you know, seeing a free Iran finally. And I see that as my own
59:01
responsibility. I don't, I'm never looking at someone else to take that responsibility for us
59:07
or do it for us.
59:09
But I also, you know,
59:12
I think from day one that I joined this movement,
59:14
I realized that maybe I won't be one of those
59:18
who will see the day that Iran will be free,
59:22
but I am more than happy to dedicate my life to it.
59:26
And lose my life into it.
59:28
So I think that's something
59:30
that's really important to understand that,
59:32
you know, it's because a lot of people look at it as,
59:35
you know, when we see politics in our own countries, you know, you have that tendency
59:40
automatically that, oh, okay, well, these people are presenting their own ideas and that one is
59:45
presenting its own ideas. It's like a rivalry or something like that. But that's not the issue for
59:50
us. For us, anyone, if anyone else is able to create that change that can bring stability in
59:58
true democracy to Iran, we'd be more than happy to support it and help however we can.
1:00:05
to make that happen And yeah that is something that we stand by And we always stated year after year decade after decade And I mean we actually formed the Solidarity The Solidarity Front was
1:00:21
announced by the National Council of Resistance, everyone, in 2002, saying that if anyone just,
1:00:28
you don't have to agree with any of the points of the NCRI, just agree with overthrow of the regime
1:00:33
and that there needs to be a secular republic in Iran, that's it.
1:00:38
That's the only merit.
1:00:39
We are willing to even help fund your activities for you to be active against the regime.
1:00:45
And that's something that we stand by 21 years later.
1:00:51
Again, I hope that you do see peace on new Iran.
1:00:56
I do, given your investment in this movement.
1:01:00
so is is there anything else you want to add um i think we're at that time because you and i both
1:01:06
have things to do and i'm i really got to run i don't have anything else to add thank you very
1:01:11
much for the time that you have given and i hope that we will be able to um bring be the bearers of
1:01:19
better news and uh i hope so uh good news for for the people everyone and i think the world at large
1:01:25
will gain from the overthrow of this regime.
1:01:28
So hopefully that day will,
1:01:30
that dawn of freedom will be soon.
1:01:32
And thank you very much for,
1:01:34
you know,
1:01:36
paying attention to the plight of the Iranian people
1:01:39
and trying to cover it.
1:01:41
Well, I enjoy talking to you.
1:01:43
Like I said, respect your opinions and your insights.
1:01:45
So you're always welcome.
1:01:46
Just reach out if there's something that,
1:01:47
that you feel that you need to speak about,
1:01:50
you know, and in turn, I'll do the same.
1:01:52
So this was a timely conversation.
1:01:55
And I appreciate the insight.
1:01:57
And it sounds like even though we're from different, you know, there's different worlds,
1:02:01
West, East, whatever.
1:02:03
In the end, I think the world is ready for Iran to become free and for its people to
1:02:07
actually take control.
1:02:08
And that should be the message.
1:02:10
And that's what people should walk away from this episode.
1:02:13
Thank you very much.
1:02:16
Have a nice day.
1:02:17
Thank you.
1:02:18
Devils hide behind redemption
1:02:22
Honesty is a one-way gate to hell
1:02:26
Bye.