NCRI Deputy Director talks Regime Change and Nuclear Program in Iran
Alireza Jafarzadeh, the Deputy Director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), recently sat down with Rita Panahi on Sky News Australia to discuss the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions, its deceptive tactics, and the broader implications for global security. The conversation shed light on the urgent need for a more robust international response to Tehran’s growing threats.
Iran’s Nuclear Deception
During the interview, Jafarzadeh provided critical insights into Iran’s nuclear program, which he emphasized has never been peaceful despite the regime’s repeated claims. He outlined how the Iranian regime has long engaged in deceit and obfuscation, misleading international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) while secretly advancing its nuclear weapons capability.
“The Iranian regime has mastered the art of deception,” Jafarzadeh stated. “For years, they have used negotiations as a means to buy time, all while continuing their nuclear weapons program in secret military sites.”
He referenced multiple revelations made by the NCRI over the years, including the 2002 exposure of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the Arak heavy water plant. These disclosures forced Tehran to admit to aspects of its clandestine nuclear program, leading to global scrutiny and sanctions. However, Jafarzadeh warned that despite past agreements, Iran has never fully abandoned its nuclear weapons ambitions.
New Evidence of Secret Nuclear Work
Jafarzadeh highlighted fresh intelligence obtained by the NCRI, pointing to covert nuclear activities at undisclosed sites within Iran. He explained how the regime has continued to enrich uranium beyond the limits set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), bringing it alarmingly close to weapons-grade levels.
“The Iranian regime is now enriching uranium to 60% purity—a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels,” Jafarzadeh noted. “This is not for civilian use. No other non-nuclear weapons state enriches to such levels.”
He added that Tehran’s refusal to allow full access to IAEA inspectors and its systematic destruction of surveillance data further confirm the regime’s intent to develop a nuclear weapon.
The Role of the IRGC in Iran’s Nuclear Program
A key part of the discussion focused on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its direct involvement in Iran’s nuclear weapons project. Jafarzadeh explained that the IRGC, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, oversees the nuclear program through a covert network of military-controlled facilities.
“The IRGC is not just a conventional military force; it is the backbone of Iran’s nuclear weapons program,” he told Panahi. “They operate secret nuclear sites under the cover of civilian institutions, making it even harder for inspectors to verify Iran’s compliance.”
He warned that any attempt to appease the Iranian regime—whether through diplomatic engagement or sanctions relief—would ultimately strengthen the IRGC and accelerate Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Why the World Cannot Ignore Iran’s Threats
Jafarzadeh also discussed the broader security implications of Iran’s nuclear advances. He warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would not only pose a direct threat to the Middle East but also destabilize global security.
“This is not just about Iran versus the West,” he said. “A nuclear Iran would embolden its terrorist proxies across the region, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Houthis in Yemen. It would trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, making the world far more dangerous.”
He criticized the current approach of some Western governments, arguing that diplomatic negotiations have repeatedly failed to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Instead, he called for a firmer stance, including increased sanctions, diplomatic isolation of the regime, and greater support for the Iranian opposition.
The Iranian People Want Change
Jafarzadeh concluded the interview by emphasizing that the Iranian people do not support the regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. Instead, they seek freedom, democracy, and an end to the clerical dictatorship that has ruled Iran for over four decades.
“The real solution to the Iran crisis is not another flawed nuclear deal but supporting the Iranian people in their struggle for a free and democratic Iran,” he said. “The regime’s downfall is not a matter of if, but when.”
Jafarzadeh’s interview with Rita Panahi served as a powerful reminder that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are not just a distant geopolitical issue but an urgent global security concern. His message was clear: the world must act decisively before it is too late.
