Special Guests

Vacuum Packed (Guest: Alireza Jafarzadeh)

When Mullahs of Iran Fall, the Heavy Lifting of a New Government will Begin

As the U.S. intensifies its military footprint on Diego Garcia, newly released satellite images reveal a significant air power buildup aimed squarely at countering the Iranian regime’s escalating regional aggression. For the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), this surge in readiness is not just a response to provocation—it’s a warning of what comes next.

NCRI’s Deputy Director Alireza Jafarzadeh is available for interviews. While his group is calling for regime change in Iran, they also have an eye on the future after that happens. Also available are Iranian Americans Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad and Dr. Kazem Kazerounian.

According to the NCRI, a future confrontation with Iran’s ruling mullahs is becoming increasingly likely. But the aftermath of such a clash is the greater strategic concern. “The real danger isn’t just the regime’s collapse—it’s the vacuum that will follow,” warns Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the NCRI’s Washington office. “If the international community isn’t prepared, Iran could spiral into another failed state.”

That preparation, the NCRI argues, begins with recognizing a credible democratic alternative. The group has long promoted Maryam Rajavi, its female candidate for president, as the face of a secular, inclusive future for Iran. Rajavi’s 10-point plan outlines a vision for a non-nuclear, democratic republic grounded in gender equality, freedom of expression, and peaceful coexistence.

“The world needs to stop treating regime change in Iran as a theoretical possibility and start planning for it as a near-term reality,” Jafarzadeh says. “And that plan must include the Iranian people and the organized resistance that’s already prepared to lead.”

With tensions rising and U.S. forces positioning for potential conflict, the NCRI is urging policymakers to look beyond the battlefield. “This isn’t about war,” Jafarzadeh emphasizes. “It’s about what replaces tyranny. We’re offering a roadmap—and a leader—who can fill that void without foreign occupation or chaos.”

As the military chessboard shifts, the NCRI insists the time to plan for the morning after is now.

Speakers Available:

Alireza Jafarzadeh – Deputy Director, NCRI-US

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)

Satellite Image Shows US Air Power Buildup at Island Base Near Iran – Newsweek

Optional Q&A

  1. What evidence does the NCRI have that Iran’s regime is nearing collapse, and why do you believe the current U.S. military buildup reflects that?
  2. How does the NCRI plan to prevent a power vacuum in Iran if the regime falls, and what makes your movement uniquely positioned to lead a peaceful transition?
  3. Maryam Rajavi is your candidate for president. What does her leadership represent, and how would she govern differently from the mullahs?
  4. Why should U.S. and European policymakers trust the NCRI over other opposition groups or exiled figures?
  5. What is the core of your 10-point plan for Iran’s future, and how does it address fears of civil war, religious extremism, or foreign interference?
  6. How extensive is your network inside Iran, and how do you maintain communication with dissidents under such a repressive regime?
  7. What role do women, religious minorities, and ethnic groups play in your vision for a post-theocracy Iran?
  8. What concrete steps do you want the U.S. government and international community to take now to support your movement and prepare for regime change?

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, the Arak heavy water plant, the Kalaye Electric centrifuge testing facility near Tehran, and the Lashkar Ab’ad laser enrichment facility. These revelations prompted the first-ever inspections of Iranian nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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.

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.

CONTACT: For further details or to arrange the interview, please contact Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 / Bookings@SeasonalLiving.com

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