Member of Parliament in Exile, NCRI Representative speaks with Gabriella Power
NCRI’s Ali Safavi recently interviewed with Gabriella Power on Sky News Australia, following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Safavi—a senior member of Iran’s Parliament‑in‑Exile and spokesperson for the NCRI—delivers critical insight on what to expect in the aftermath and how the world can support Iranian-led change.
Safavi began by characterizing the U.S. airstrikes on Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow as a watershed moment. He told Power these strikes undercut the regime’s most strategic assets, disrupting its nuclear timetable and dismantling the illusion of invincibility that had sustained the clerical leadership. But, he said, “military hits alone won’t dismantle the theocracy”—what’s required next is a parallel surge of diplomatic, economic, and moral pressure on the regime.
Turning to internal Iranian dynamics, Safavi underscored that protests—rooted in economic hardship and political repression—are surging nationwide. The recent strikes, he argued, are galvanizing dissent, as previously reluctant citizens take encouragement from the global pressure on Tehran. He cited whispers in the streets: chants of “death to Khamenei,” increased workplace protests, and a sudden wave of resignations from clerical institutions—a clear sign the regime is reeling .
Safavi praised Israel for its coordinated “psychological campaign” targeting regime officials—calls warning senior officers to flee or face assassination—but he emphasized its real impact lies in destabilizing the regime’s command structure and sowing fear
When Power asked what regime change might look like now, Safavi delivered a confident answer: the NCRI is prepared—not aspirational—for a transitional government. He described the 10‑Point Plan as a blueprint ready for implementation, centering secular democracy, universal suffrage, gender equality, and non‑nuclear foreign policy. Underground networks are “poised to spring into action,” with NCRI allies inside the country ready to help assume authority almost immediately .
Safavi also provided strategic warnings. He argued that international inaction—or premature negotiations—could let the regime regroup. He referenced the European hesitation and the legacy of the 2015 nuclear deal as enabling Tehran to further entrench its nuclear and regional agenda . Instead, he called for irreversibly crippling sanctions on the IRGC, nuclear and missile infrastructure, and banning all financial flows tied to regime insiders.
To the question of violence and chaos after regime change, he acknowledged risk but emphasized the NCRI’s meticulous planning, including constitutional safeguards, civilian oversight, and transitional justice measures. “This is not an ideological coup—it is a democratic revolution. We’ve learned from history, and we’ve prepared”
Safavi closed with a bold message: Iran’s people want freedom, but they need signals the world is on their side. “Don’t just strike nukes—strike legitimacy,” he urged. Amplify Iranian voices, pressure Tehran diplomatically, and refuse to re-normalize relations until the regime is replaced with democratic governance.
Key Takeaways:
The U.S. strikes significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear program, but military action alone isn’t enough.
Pressure, both internal and external, is fueling protests and elite defection.
Israel’s psychological operations shattered regime confidence at the top.
The NCRI’s 10‑Point Plan and underground networks are ready to lead transition.
The international community must implement irreversible sanctions and support democratic alternatives—not return to appeasement.
Regime collapse won’t automatically bring chaos if the NCRI and civil society are empowered.
Safavi’s interview offers a compelling pivot in the Iran narrative—no longer just about nuclear threats, but about Iranian-led transformation. For audiences tracking Middle East stability and democratic movements, his analysis is both urgent and essential.
