Newt's World – Episode 813: Iran’s Resistance Movement

Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Newt Gingrich
Guest: Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director, National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

Overview

This episode delves into the current state and history of Iran’s resistance movement, focusing on the NCRI’s role in challenging the Iranian regime, exposing its nuclear ambitions, and advocating for a free, democratic Iran. Alireza Jafarzadeh, an NCRI leader, shares first-hand insights into the nature of the regime, the West’s policy missteps, the reality and goals of the Iranian opposition, and prospects for real change within Iran.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The February 8 Paris Rally and NCRI’s Significance

[01:38–02:39]

• Recent anti-regime rally in Paris organized by the banned NCRI, highlighting international opposition to Tehran’s authorities.
• NCRI’s critical position in Iranian opposition and ongoing risks to its members, with executions and death sentences looming for activists.

2. The Nature of the Iranian Regime

[03:16–06:44]

• Both host and guest agree on the regime’s fundamentally repressive and uncompromising nature.
• Historical note: No “moderates” exist within the regime, as recalled in a discussion with former US Secretary of Defense Bob Gates.
• NCRI's value as a source of inside information on Iran.

3. Iran’s Nuclear Program and Use of Space Program as Cover

[04:00–06:44]

• NCRI's history of exposing Iran’s nuclear activities, most notably in 2002 (Natanz and Arak sites).
• New revelations: Iran uses its space program as a cover to develop nuclear warheads and solid-fuel missiles at sites in Shahrud and Semnan.
• The same organization behind the nuclear program, SPND, oversees these sites.
• Jafarzadeh:

  "The nuclear program of the Iran regime has never been a peaceful one. It was always, since day one, meant to build the nuclear bomb." ([05:21])

4. Why the West Misreads the Regime

[06:44–10:06]

• Western engagement is often based on misunderstanding the regime’s ideological commitment to repression and terrorism, internally and externally.

• Hostage-taking has been a profitable strategy for Iran.

• Western focus on appeasing the regime led to overlooking or suppressing genuine Iranian opposition, as seen when the US mistakenly designated NCRI/MEK as a terrorist organization in 1997.

  "The vast majority of the people of Iran are opposed to this regime. There is an alternative." — Jafarzadeh ([08:01])

  "After five decades, now is the time for the world to understand that the head of the snake of war and terror lies in Tehran." — Jafarzadeh ([09:22])

5. Maximum Pressure Sanctions: Intended and Potential Impact

[10:06–15:18]

• Ayatollah Khamenei’s public statements reinforce the regime’s ideological hostility towards the US.

• Trump’s February 2025 memorandum to restore maximum pressure on Iran aims to cut off all paths to nuclear weapons and counter malign influence.

• Jafarzadeh calls the policy shift "a huge plus for the people and against the regime."

• He stresses the importance of supporting resistance forces within Iran rather than relying only on external pressure.

• The NCRI and affiliated MEK resistance units are at the forefront of ongoing uprisings across all 31 provinces.

  "These are mostly young people... trying to target them [Revolutionary Guards] and break down this aura of invincibility." — Jafarzadeh ([12:58])

  "There is a very bipartisan support in the House and Senate for this movement, for Mrs. Rajavi and her ten point plan..." — Jafarzadeh ([14:34])

6. Military Action and Real Pathways to Change

[16:56–19:40]

• Discussion on the threat of Israeli strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

• Jafarzadeh advises that only regime change—initiated by Iranians—is a final, effective solution.

• He advocates for empowering internal resistance and snapping back sanctions, while depriving the regime of resources.

  "The only really viable alternative solution to end the threat is to end the rule of the clerics...future based on the vote of the population." — Jafarzadeh ([17:42])

7. Comparisons to Syria & Prospects for Collapse

[19:40–22:40]

• Parallels with Syria: Assumed stability can dissolve rapidly under the right pressures.
• Khamenei’s regime poured resources into protecting the Syrian dictatorship—a cautionary tale about "invincible" regimes.
• Jafarzadeh expresses confidence the Iranian theocracy can be overthrown by its own people and describes the regime as "never been so weak" while organized opposition "never been this powerful." ([22:19])

8. NCRI’s Achievements and Alternative Vision

[22:40–27:11]

• NCRI has provided a secular, democratic alternative since 1981, with a detailed ten-point plan prioritizing pluralism, gender equality, and religious freedom.

• Unveiled Iran’s nuclear program (triggering UN oversight), missile programs, and terror operations.

• Highlights sacrifices: over 20,000 killed since 1981, including 30,000 political prisoners in one summer (1988).

• Despite regime repression, the resistance movement is expanding and remains the "engine for change."

  "The most important, I think, accomplishment of this movement has been continued fighting force against the regime, not just talking about change, but effecting change on the ground." — Jafarzadeh ([26:10])

9. How the 1979 Revolution Was Hijacked

[28:48–32:56]

• Jafarzadeh recounts personal memories: The revolution was initially broad-based and secular, but the clergy seized power after the Shah had eliminated other sources of opposition.

• The Shah empowered the mosques as a bulwark against communism, unwittingly paving the way for their political rise.

• The original goal of democracy was subverted into theocracy by Khomeini.

• The future, Jafarzadeh argues, should not be a return to monarchy but forward to democracy.

  "The revolution was not about establishing Islamic extremist ideology, but they stole it." — Jafarzadeh ([30:27])

10. Comparing the Shah and the Ayatollahs’ Repression

[32:56–34:41]

• Both regimes are condemned, but the mullahs are described as even more repressive and destructive due to ideological extremism and regional destabilization.

• The Shah’s SAVAK laid groundwork for repression, but the current regime escalated violence with religious justification and global terror networks.

  "[The mullahs] invented new ways of torture, even though the Shah had different ways, but the mullahs just basically surpassed that." — Jafarzadeh ([33:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "There were no moderates in the regime. And anybody who thought there was simply did not understand the nature of the regime."
  — Newt Gingrich, recounting a conversation with Bob Gates ([03:16])

• "The nuclear program of the Iran regime has never been a peaceful one... it was meant to build the nuclear bomb."
  — Alireza Jafarzadeh ([05:21])

• "After five decades, now is the time for the world to understand that the head of the snake of war and terror lies in Tehran."
  — Alireza Jafarzadeh ([09:22])

• "You want to end the threat once and for all... you want to create space for those on the ground who are already fighting the regime to bring about change."
  — Alireza Jafarzadeh ([11:50])

• "These dictators, they all seem very invincible until they fall."
  — Alireza Jafarzadeh ([21:08])

• "The alternative to this regime is not to go backwards to dictatorship of a monarchy, but rather to freedom, political pluralism, gender equality..."
  — Alireza Jafarzadeh ([32:06])

• "I've known you for decades and you have been very consistent yourself in highlighting the threat but also highlighting the solution... it also takes a lot of courage and that's what you had." — Alireza Jafarzadeh, thanking Newt Gingrich ([35:25])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:38] – Introduction of guest, rally context
• [03:16] – Nature of Iranian regime; NCRI’s network and value
• [04:00] – Iran’s nuclear program and use of space cover
• [06:44] – West’s misconceptions & appeasement policies
• [10:06] – Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy & NCRI’s vision for change
• [16:56] – Possibility and consequences of military action
• [19:40] – Lessons from Syria; possibility of regime collapse
• [22:40] – NCRI’s achievements & resistance’s sacrifices
• [28:48] – How the 1979 revolution led to a theocracy
• [32:56] – Comparing the Shah and Ayatollahs’ oppression
• [35:25] – Mutual appreciation and closing remarks

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Iran’s internal resistance, the regime’s survival strategies, and the West’s ongoing challenge in responding effectively. Alireza Jafarzadeh stresses that real change will come from within Iran, and that global powers would do best to support the organized democratic movement fighting for a peaceful, non-nuclear future. The conversation balances historical analysis, inside information, and a call for principled support of Iran’s real democratic forces.

For more about NCRI and daily updates on Iran, visit: ncr-iran.org