Former US Official Predicts Democratic Turning Point in Iran

Former U.S. Under Secretary of State Robert Joseph said Iran is approaching a decisive historical moment, arguing that the collapse of the Velayat-e Faqih system is becoming increasingly inevitable and that the country is entering a new phase that could lead to democratic transformation.

In a press statement, Joseph described recent developments in Iran as a major turning point that could reshape the country’s political future. He said the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would mark more than the fall of a single figure, calling it the beginning of the collapse of what he described as a broader system of religious authoritarian rule.

Joseph stated that the scenes unfolding in Iran—including public reactions and escalating confrontations involving regime structures—demonstrate that the Iranian people are determined to move beyond decades of political repression. According to him, the current struggle inside the country represents a fight to restore national sovereignty and open the path for a new political order.

He added that Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Iranian Resistance coalition, has emerged as a central political figure at this stage. Joseph said Rajavi’s proposal to form a provisional government based on her Ten-Point Plan could provide a framework for a democratic transition, including the establishment of a republic founded on the separation of religion and state.

Joseph also rejected calls for a return to monarchical rule in Iran, saying attempts to present Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, as a future leader ignore the aspirations of many Iranians who oppose both the former monarchy and the current religious system. He noted that many protesters have adopted the slogan “No to the Shah, No to the Mullahs,” reflecting their demand for a new political alternative.

He further pointed to the role of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and what it calls “Resistance Units,” saying the network has built organizational structures inside the country capable of challenging the regime’s power. Joseph argued that such networks could play a role in preventing instability during a potential transition period.

According to Joseph, Western governments should reconsider previous engagement policies toward Tehran and instead support the Iranian people’s right to determine their political future. He called on the international community to recognize the proposed provisional government of the Iranian Resistance as a legitimate alternative capable of overseeing a transition toward democratic governance.

Joseph concluded that Iran stands on the threshold of major change and predicted that the end of the current ruling system could lead to the emergence of a democratic, non-nuclear state that lives peacefully with its neighbors and contributes to stability in the region.