Holy Smokeout: As Tehran’s Theocracy Burning Out, Time for Free World to Turn up the Heat
The Iranian regime’s deepening weakness is no longer speculative—it is documented, exposed, and accelerating. Ambassador Carla Sands warns that Tehran’s escalating defiance is not a sign of strength, but of panic. And as the regime’s foundations crack, the free world faces a critical question: Will Washington and its allies seize this moment, or repeat the mistakes of appeasement that prolonged Iran’s suffering for four decades?
Shirin Nariman, former political prisoner in Iran, Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad and Dr. Kazem Kazerounian, as well as NCRI’s Shahin Gobadi and Ali Safavi are available for interviews to discuss this terrifying prospect.
Carla Sands—alongside senior spokesmen of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)—is available to brief media on why this moment is different, why the regime is more vulnerable than at any point since 1979, and why Western governments must adopt a unified, decisive strategy.
The West’s posture toward Tehran is finally beginning to shift. After the UK, France, and Germany triggered the JCPOA “snapback” last summer, Europe has moved into closer alignment with the U.S. maximum-pressure framework. Yet sanctions and diplomatic isolation are only half of the equation. As Sands argues, Iran’s crisis is fundamentally internal, not external. The regime has survived by convincing Western policymakers that its instability is manageable and its downfall improbable. That fiction has collapsed.
Since 2018, Iran has erupted in three nationwide uprisings and countless localized revolts—each one more organized, more defiant, and more openly aligned with the NCRI’s vision for a secular, democratic republic. The regime nearly fell in 2022. It has since executed more than 3,000 people in a desperate attempt to reassert control, with at least 16 MEK supporters now awaiting death.
Sands and NCRI spokesmen can explain why these executions mirror the regime’s most infamous chapter—the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners—and why Tehran’s accelerating violence reflects fear, not dominance. They will also detail the rapidly expanding network of MEK-affiliated Resistance Units operating across Iran, documenting how these groups have kept the regime off balance, disrupted its propaganda, and signaled the inevitability of renewed nationwide revolt.
The upcoming November 15 Free Iran Convention in Washington, D.C., where more than 1,000 Iranian American representatives will gather, offers policymakers a rare window into this organized movement, its strategy for peaceful regime change, and the democratic roadmap outlined in Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.
Ambassador Sands and NCRI spokesmen are prepared to discuss why Western governments must now recognize the Iranian people—not the mullahs—as the central force shaping Iran’s future. History is watching. The free world can either stand with a nation on the cusp of liberation—or enable another generation of repression.
Speakers Available:
Ambassador Carla Sands – Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark / Member of Trump Economic Council
Shirin Nariman – Former Political Prisoner in Iran
Shahin Gobadi – Member of NCRI Parliament in Exile
Other Speakers Available:
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad – Iranian American Scholar and Cybersecurity Executive
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian – Dean of College of Engineering; expert on Iran’s Nuclear program
Related Article(s)
Tehran’s Weakness Is Exposed—Now the Free World Must Act | RealClearWorld
Tehran’s Weakness Is Exposed; time to Act – Special Guests
Optional Q&A
- What does Tehran’s escalating defiance actually reveal about the regime’s internal instability?
- How significant is Europe’s shift toward the U.S. maximum-pressure framework, and what does it enable?
- Why have Western leaders hesitated to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization despite overwhelming legislative support?
- What makes the current domestic unrest in Iran fundamentally different from past periods of dissent?
- How are MEK-affiliated Resistance Units undermining the regime’s control on the ground?
- What should U.S. policymakers watch for at the November 15 Free Iran Convention, and why does it matter now?
- How close is the regime to another nationwide uprising—and what indicators point to its vulnerability?
- What concrete steps should the U.S. and Europe take immediately to support the Iranian people and a democratic alternative?
Free Iran Convention 2025
Iran on the brink: Roadmap to end theocracy, Plan for the future Iran
The Free Iran Convention 2025 will be held in Washington, D.C., On Saturday, November 15,
The first convention of its kind in DC will bring together more than 1,000 Iranian scholars, activists, professionals, and community leaders to address the prospects of regime change Iran, and the transition from a theocracy to a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic.
This landmark one-day event offers a unique, multi-dimensional perspective on Iranian affairs and the imperative of a viable and effective policy vis-à-vis the Iranian regime.
It will feature Iranian voices from three generations across the United States, joined by prominent American and international dignitaries.
Several victims of the regime and activists who took part in the uprisings in the recent years in Iran will also address the gathering, adding firsthand insight to the discussions.
The convention occurs at a pivotal time. The Iranian regime neither has given up drive to acquire nuclear weapons, nor export of terrorism and investing on proxy groups and has remained a major threat to global peace and security. Meanwhile, momentum for change is rapidly growing inside Iran, as the clerical regime has resorted to an unprecedented wave of executions in an attempt to suppress the mounting call for freedom.
Convention Schedule and Program
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Washington, DC
By Invitation only,
accredited journalists RSVP:
media@ncrius.org
Expert panels and discussions:
Panel 1: Society Ripe for Change in Iran
Why Change Has Become Inevitable
Panel 2: Iranian Women and the Legacy of Resistance
From Repression to Leadership in Charting the Future
Panel 3: Prospects for Change in Iran, the Plan for Transition
Roadmap for the Overthrow of the Regime, Establishing Democracy
Panel 4: The Power of Youth in Driving Change in Iran
A Defiant Generation Shaping Iran’s Democratic Movement
Panel 5: The Heart of Iran in Revolt
Voices of Courage, Strength, and Hope
Distinguished Dialogue
The Science of Renewal: Building Iran’s Future (dialogue with a distinguished Iranian scholar)
A Scholar’s Vision for Tomorrow
Shaping Iran’s Future: The People’s Choice for Democracy (dialogue with a distinguished Iranian scholar)
International Section
Distinguished American and European dignitaries will address this segment of the program.
ABOUT SHIRIN NARIMAN…
Shirin Nariman is a former political prisoner from Iran, human rights advocate, and entrepreneur.
At just 15 years old, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she became involved in pro-democracy activities and supported the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). Less than two years later, she was arrested for her activism—becoming one of the youngest political prisoners of her time and enduring severe torture in Evin Prison. Her case drew international attention and intervention from the Red Cross.
During her imprisonment, Shirin witnessed the regime’s brutality firsthand, including the executions of children, elderly women, and pregnant prisoners. After her release, she eventually sought refuge in the United States, where she has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights, women’s rights, and a free, democratic, non-nuclear Iran.
Shirin holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and has worked with leading wireless and financial corporations.
ABOUT DR. MOHAMMAD H. TASOOJI…
Dr. Mohammad H. Tasooji, a professor at California State University San Marcos, is an accomplished engineer, educator, and industry leader. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an M.S. in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University, and a Doctorate in Communication Systems from USC. Dr. Tasooji has held senior management roles at leading technology firms, including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Gtran Wireless, and Nokia. He contributes to clean-energy innovation as CEO of Sienza Energy.
ABOUT SHAHIN GOBADI…
Shahin Gobadi, a U.S.-educated nuclear engineer, is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
An astute observer of Iranian affairs for over three decades, Gobadi is an expert on topics including Iranian state-sponsored terrorism, proxy groups in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, Western policy toward Iran, and internal Iranian affairs.
He has been interviewed by major international media outlets, including CNN, Fox News, BBC, Sky TV, GB News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Reuters, and the Associated Press. Gobadi’s writings have appeared in prominent media across the U.S. and Europe.
ABOUT DR. RAMESH SEPEHRRAD…
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad is a leading Iranian-American scholar, published author, cybersecurity executive, and human rights advocate, known for her tireless efforts to advance a non-nuclear, secular, and democratic republic in Iran. As Chair of the Advisory Board of the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), she plays a pivotal role in bipartisan majority of congressional advocacy, including support for various house resolutions, which endorses the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan.
Born in Shiraz, Iran, Ramesh’s commitment to justice is deeply personal. Her family endured brutal persecution under both the Shah’s monarchy and the current theocratic regime. Several relatives were imprisoned, tortured, or executed for their opposition to tyranny—an experience that has shaped her life’s mission to amplify the voices of Iran’s oppressed.
After seeking refuge in the United States in 1985, Dr. Sepehrrad earned a B.S. in Computer Science from SUNY Buffalo, an M.A. in Political Science, and a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She has also taught graduate courses on conflict, gender, and human rights at George Mason, University of Connecticut where she was inducted as the Distinguished Engineer, and University of Baltimore.
Professionally, she has held senior executive roles in cybersecurity and risk management where she has earned numerous industry awards and recognition.
Through academic rigor, policy engagement, and grassroots mobilization, Dr. Sepehrrad is a compelling voice for democratic change in Iran—rejecting both monarchy and theocracy in favor of a republic rooted in gender equality, human rights and the rule of law.
ABOUT DR. KAZEM KAZEROUNIAN…
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut and served as Dean of the College of Engineering from 2012 to 2024.
He is a member of The Free Iran Scholars Network. A passionate advocate for democracy and human rights, Dr. Kazerounian is also an expert on Iran and the Middle East, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, and human rights situation in Iran. He has contributed widely through scholarly articles, invited talks, and media interviews on regional affairs and the democratic movement in Iran.
Nationally, he has held leadership roles with ASEE and ASME, shaping engineering policy and education. His honors include the ASME Mechanisms and Robotics Award, AIMBE Fellowship, and induction into the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering.
An ASME Fellow, his research spans kinematics, robotics, and biomechanics. He has authored over 160 scholarly works and co-founded AcademicKeys.com and AcademicJournal.com, a professional platform and an online journal for academics.
ABOUT ALI SAFAVI…
Ali Safavi is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
A sociologist by training, Safavi studied and taught at UCLA, California State University Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan. He was an active participant in the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s in the United States and has been deeply engaged in Iranian affairs ever since.
Safavi has lectured and written extensively on Iran, Iraq, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and Middle Eastern politics. He has appeared in interviews on networks such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, BBC, Sky TV, Newsmax, and France 24. His articles and commentary have been published in leading outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Boston Herald, The Washington Times, and The Financial Times.
This material is distributed by Special Guests Publicity LLC on behalf of National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) / Media Strategy Consulting LTD. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. CONTACT: For further details or to arrange the interview, please contact Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 / Bookings@SeasonalLiving.com
Ambassadors on ambassadorial missions tend to become better ambassadors, especially when the country receiving the ambassador has an ambassador of its own who is also interested in furthering ambassadorial missions to other countries with ambassadors, who in turn, send other ambassadors out on other ambassadorial missions until the initial ambassador returns home, at which point, that ambassador must exhibit an ambassadorial attitude toward his host country. When this person returns to his house, he is no longer in the mood to be ambassadorial. He’s had enough and often becomes an adversarial ambassador under his own roof, even though his mailbox says ambassador. Ambassador.
Ambassador Sands of time.
