Iranian Opposition Leader Says Regime Change Must Come From Within

An Iranian opposition leader has said that foreign military intervention would not be sufficient to overthrow Iran’s clerical establishment, arguing that only sustained, nationwide resistance by Iranians themselves can bring about political change.

In remarks published by "Breitbart News" on Jan. 20, Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said that while international pressure can play a role, the decisive factor in ending the rule of the Islamic Republic lies in organized internal opposition.

Rajavi stated that regime change “cannot be imposed from outside” and must instead be driven by Iranians through a coordinated resistance movement capable of confronting state institutions, including the security forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). She added that foreign military action alone would neither dismantle the current system nor ensure a stable political transition.

According to Rajavi, the NCRI has developed a political framework for a post-clerical Iran, including plans for a provisional government, free elections, and the drafting of a new constitution. She said these measures are intended to prevent instability or a power vacuum in the event of a collapse of the current leadership.

Rajavi also emphasized the importance of international diplomatic and economic pressure, saying such measures should be aimed at weakening the Iranian government while supporting internal opposition movements, rather than replacing them.

Her remarks come amid continued political tensions in Iran, where waves of protests in recent years have been met with a strong security response by authorities. Human rights organizations have reported arrests and restrictions on freedoms, while Iranian officials have described the unrest as foreign-backed attempts to destabilize the country.

Debate continues among Iranian opposition groups and international observers over the most effective approach toward Iran, with differing views on the role of sanctions, diplomacy, and external intervention in addressing the country’s political crisis.