Retired General James Jones, former US National Security Advisor, has called on the international community to support a democratic transition in Iran, praising the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its political roadmap for the country’s future.
Speaking during a conference on Iran’s political future, Jones said the current moment represents a “highly consequential” turning point, arguing that global observers are “witnessing history in the making.”
According to Jones, developments inside Iran are not merely another episode of repression but may signal “the beginning of the end” for a political system that has ruled the country for nearly half a century.
He said the current leadership has “waged war on its own people” for decades, referring to the violent suppression of protests and political dissent. Jones also pointed to the January 2026 uprising, which he said resulted in thousands of deaths as Iranians demanded greater freedoms and political change.
Despite the repression, Jones praised the resilience of the Iranian people, saying that authoritarian rule cannot extinguish the universal human desire for liberty. He described the aspirations of many Iranians as centered on establishing a democratic republic based on the will of the people.
Jones said he has been familiar with the NCRI and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) for about 15 years and expressed admiration for the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, who heads the opposition coalition.
He also criticized years of Western engagement with Tehran that he characterized as a policy of “appeasement.” According to Jones, the idea that sidelining the Iranian resistance might encourage moderation within the current system has proved misguided.
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