Foreign Policy Expert joins Tracy Sabol to discuss future of Iran after Ayatollah and Mullahs are removed
On Newsmax2, host Tracy Sabol opened the segment by highlighting escalating tensions in Iran: missile launches, internal unrest, and signs that Israel, even former President Trump, is signaling regime decapitation. She introduced Dr. Ivan “Sascha” Sheehan—a leading analyst on Iranian politics and longtime supporter of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)—as her guest to unpack the implications and advocate for a people-powered transition.
Sabol began by asking, “Dr. Sheehan, where does Iran stand today as threats from Israel and the U.S. mount?” Sheehan explained that Iran is at a strategic breaking point: under pressure from precision threats by Israel, public sentiment shifting against the clerical regime, and outside concern—like China urging its citizens to leave. But he emphasized the real power lies internally, with Iranians ready to seize their moment.
The first major theme focused on the NCRI’s role. Sheehan detailed how this coalition of reform-minded exiles and activists has been organizing underground for decades. He called them “the most credible, secular-democratic alternative to the mullahs,” backed by a vision rooted in individual rights, women’s equality, and national sovereignty. He stressed that foreign military intervention will fail without local momentum. “Only Iranians themselves can end the theocracy,” he stated.
Sabol asked about the risk calculation: could external forces—such as Israel targeting Khamenei or the U.S. striking nuclear sites—spark the regime’s collapse? Sheehan responded that strategic external pressure can hollow out the regime’s confidence, disrupt command networks, and embolden civil society—but only if coupled with a viable domestic backbone like the NCRI. Otherwise, foreign strikes risk consolidating hardliner control.
The conversation pivoted to what this means for American viewers. Sheehan underscored that U.S. leaders should frame policy around empowering the Iranian people—not about regime change by force. He suggested actions like targeted sanctions, cutting mullahs’ financial lifelines, and covert support for NCRI’s information networks. He rejected large-scale troop deployment, arguing it would deepen chaos and strengthen radical elements.
When Sabol probed about Iranian public morale, Sheehan cited growing evidence: strikes on oil pipelines, recent protests inside Tehran and provincial cities, and even protests within IRGC ranks. Officials once unwavering are now quietly questioning leadership amid both social unrest and economic collapse. “This is the winter of the regime’s discontent,” Sheehan said. “But Iranians still need direction, cohesion, and credible alternatives.”
The interview then addressed the NCRI’s readiness and credibility. Sheehan spoke of NCRI’s guiding principle: democracy-first, not clerical rule—separation of mosque and state. He highlighted NCRI’s shadow parliamentary infrastructure ready to assume power after an upset. “This is not fantasy; this is preparation,” he said, referencing NCRI’s decades-long network that includes educators, entrepreneurs, and former officials ready to govern in a transitional capacity.
Sabol asked about the risk of infighting once the theocracy collapses. Sheehan admitted transitional tensions are inevitable but insisted coordination with international bodies and the Iranian diaspora can reduce them. He also highlighted NCRI’s early transparency initiatives: committing to free elections, honoring international treaties, and protecting minority rights.
To close, Sabol asked for a memo to U.S. policymakers. Sheehan put it clearly: “Support the Iranian people, not the mullahs. Sanction money, not mosques. Amplify the voices of Iranians who want freedom. And let them lead.” He concluded with a direct appeal to viewers: “This is not about empires. It’s about liberty. Let history be shaped by Iranians—not foreign armies.”
The exchange ended with Sabol thanking Dr. Sheehan for his sobering yet hopeful insight. She echoed his bottom line: the combination of smart external pressure and a committed domestic resistance offers Iran a real path toward a people-powered transition. For Newsmax2’s audience, the segment reframed Iran from a foreign theater to a potential homegrown revolution—one the U.S. can support without fighting.
