3,000 to 12,000 Peaceful Protesters Killed by Ayatollah Regime in Iran; Trump to Ayatollah: LEAVE NOW!!
According to estimates released by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), more than 3,000 Peaceful Protestors have been killed, with other news agencies reporting more than 12,000 killed, mostly this week, during nationwide protests and violent security crackdowns, adding to the staggering toll since the Ayatollah regime took power in 1979. President Donald Trump has warned all Americans currently there to “GET OUT NOW!”, signaling likely imminent U.S. action.
News story featuring former Trump Secretary of State/CEO director Mike Pompeo:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-cancels-all-meetings-iran-calls-protesters-take-over-country
NCRI Speakers Available (Bios below):
- Mrs. Zahra Amanpour: Human Rights Activist
- Mrs. Shirin Nariman: Former Political Prisoner in Iran
- Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad: Iranian American
- Dr. Kazem Kazerounian: Iranian American
- Alireza Jafarzadeh: Deputy Director of NCRI
But what’s next?
Who will govern 93 million largely Persian (not Arab) citizens if the current religious dictatorship collapses?
The people want regime change — but reject Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah’s former dictatorial monarchy.
Two opposition figures are most often discussed in connection with that country’sa future leadership — but only one represents a fully organized political structure capable of overseeing a rapid, democratic transition.
In Western media, particularly in the United States, coverage has largely focused on Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah. His visibility makes him familiar to American audiences. However, Pahlavi has acknowledged that he has not lived in that country since 1978 and does not lead an organized political apparatus inside or outside the country. Support for a return to monarchy remains deeply contested, as it evokes memories of authoritarian rule that predate the current regime.
NCRI Speakers Available for Immediate Interview
(Bios below):
- Mrs. Zahra Amanpour – Iranian American, Human Rights Activist
- Mrs. Shirin Nariman – Former Political Prisoner in Iran
- Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad – Iranian American Scholar & Human Rights Advocate
- Dr. Kazem Kazerounian – Iranian American Academic & Nuclear Policy Expert
- Alireza Jafarzadeh – Deputy Director, NCRI (Washington Office)
The Organized Democratic Alternative
By contrast, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, leader of the NCRI, heads what is widely regarded by dissidents and many international observers as the only fully formed, organized political coalition prepared to manage a post-regime transition.
Watch this Iranian woman explain the issue with exceptional clarity:
RyanMatta on X:
https://t.co/D3wUTsJO1U
Recently when Reza Pahlavi was asked by Maria Bartiromo during an interview on Fox Business News, if he were put in charge, of the transition, long would it take to see free elections, and his answer was chilling, saying, “It would take a few years.” That jaw-dropping comment meant He could be in charge for years, and possibly never have elections!
Activists wisely warn that prolonged interim periods historically allow unelected leaders to entrench themselves — often resulting in renewed authoritarian rule. Iran has just had two regimes of authoritarian rule and their people don’t want that. They want a Republic similar to that of the United States.
The NCRI presents a sharply different and time-bound framework.
Since the 1979 revolution, more than 120,000 members and supporters of the NCRI/MEK have been executed or killed by the ruling regime, according to long-documented human-rights reports. Under Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, the NCRI has publicly committed to:
- Overseeing a clearly defined, temporary transition period
- Holding free, internationally monitored elections within six months
- Allowing the Iranian people themselves to choose their future system of government
- Establishing a non-nuclear Iran, including turning over all nuclear materials to international oversight following a democratic transition
Notably, the NCRI was the first organization to expose the regime’s clandestine uranium enrichment facilities, disclosures that later prompted decisive U.S. and international action against its nuclear program. This track record has reinforced its credibility among policymakers as an organization capable of governance — not merely protest.
That country remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, funding proxy militias across the Middle East while violently suppressing its own population. For many risking their lives in the streets, regime change is no longer theoretical — it is urgent.
The central question is no longer who is most recognizable abroad, but who possesses the structure, discipline, and legitimacy to prevent a power vacuum and deliver free elections quickly.
NCRI Representatives Available Immediately
NCRI spokespersons can address:
- Why protest-related deaths may be far higher than currently reported
- Why prolonged transitional rule is viewed as a threat to democracy
- Why six months to free elections is essential, not reckless
- Why the NCRI is uniquely positioned as an organized transitional authority, not a permanent ruling body
This is not about endorsing a future government. It is about accurately informing audiences of the only existing, organized pathway currently articulated for a rapid democratic transition in a nation of roughly 93 million people.
ABOUT ZAHRA AMANPOUR…
Zahra Amanpour is a lifelong human rights advocate and a proud supporter of the Resistance movement. Born during the 1979 Revolution in Tehran, Zahra’s life has been defined by the struggle for freedom and justice. Her father, a prominent advocate with the MEK/PMOI, was killed in 1988—a summer marked by the mass killing of 30,000 political prisoners following the end of the Iran-Iraq war.
Raised by her mother within the Resistance community, Zahra grew up surrounded by the courage, clarity, and conviction of those who refused to be silenced. She draws deep inspiration from the many women who have led the movement for a free, secular, and democratic Iran.
As a Board Member of the Women’s Freedom Forum, Zahra works to amplify the voices of women fighting for their rights under repressive regimes and to shine a global light on their stories of resistance. Her work bridges continents, connecting the struggle for human rights in Iran with economic empowerment initiatives in the United States.
Zahra Amanpour – Iranian-American Women’s Rights Activist
ABOUT DR. RAMESH SEPEHRRAD…
Born in Shiraz, Iran, 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. Her commitment to justice in Iran is deeply personal. 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.
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.
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.
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 ALIREZA JAFARZADEH…
Alireza Jafarzadeh serves as the Deputy Director of the Washington Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). He is also the author of The Iran Threat (Palgrave MacMillan, New York, 2008).
A recognized expert on Iranian policy, Jafarzadeh has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. His groundbreaking work in 2002 and 2003 led to the discovery of key illicit nuclear sites in Iran, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
Jafarzadeh is a frequent guest on major television and radio networks, including CBS Evening News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and France 24. His insights have also been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Time, and The Hill.
CONTACT:
Jerry McGlothlin
Special Guests Publicity
jerry@specialguests.com
919-437-0001
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.
