The Exchanges

Q that be a monarchy? Uh, I think, uh, is a question everybody has for you because you're the prince. This is a democracy. We don't have princes in democracies. And then number two, what do you ideally see as your role in the transition? And then would you like to have the opportunity to run for president and to lead the country out of this horrific nightmare of 47 years?

A My focus is on the process, not the outcome, and in, as a neutral arbiter, I'm not taking sides with one form versus the other. That's for the people of Iran to choose, and I think the world has seen successful models in both a republican system and a monarchic system. Examples, a republic that you have like in India, or like in Israel, or in France, or the United States are not exactly the same, but that's under the republican structure. In terms of, Parliamentary monarchies. We have the example of Japan, Sweden, Spain, other countries. So I don't think that necessarily you can equate democracy with one outcome in particular. It could be both models that people can emulate. So at the end of the day, you know, again, it's not for me to choose the outcome. I'm here to be a bridge towards that outcome. That's the function of a transitional leader. Not to run for office or not to have an aim for personal position of power or authority. But to be the element that unites the country towards a common purpose, and allow the nation to decide what is their preferred system. That's what elections and free elections should be all about, and the ballot box is the only means to measure people's opinion, and the majority will decide on that, and that's the process that I'm envisaged to bring about.

AI assessment note: “Not to run for office or not to have an aim for personal position”

Q that be a monarchy? Uh, I think, uh, is a question everybody has for you because you're the prince. This is a democracy. We don't have princes in democracies. And then number two, what do you ideally see as your role in the transition? And then would you like to have the opportunity to run for president and to lead the country out of this horrific nightmare of 47 years?

A My focus is on the process, not the outcome, and in, as a neutral arbiter, I'm not taking sides with one form versus the other. That's for the people of Iran to choose, and I think the world has seen successful models in both a republican system and a monarchic system. Examples, a republic that you have like in India, or like in Israel, or in France, or the United States are not exactly the same, but that's under the republican structure. In terms of, Parliamentary monarchies. We have the example of Japan, Sweden, Spain, other countries. So I don't think that necessarily you can equate democracy with one outcome in particular. It could be both models that people can emulate. So at the end of the day, you know, again, it's not for me to choose the outcome. I'm here to be a bridge towards that outcome. That's the function of a transitional leader. Not to run for office or not to have an aim for personal position of power or authority. But to be the element that unites the country towards a common purpose, and allow the nation to decide what is their preferred system. That's what elections and free elections should be all about, and the ballot box is the only means to measure people's opinion, and the majority will decide on that, and that's the process that I'm envisaged to bring about.

AI assessment note: “That's the function of a transitional leader. Not to run for office”

Q have for yourself? And this seems like a, a pretty high risk thing to do. It'd be pretty brave of you to, uh, go to the country now. What conditions have to be met for you to Go to Iran to go home for the first time in 47 years. And how close do you think we are to the people taking the streets now and for starting this transition?

A Well, to be honest with you, it's very difficult to put an exact timeline. Factors that will expedite it is the level of separation from the regime, the level of defections, the strengthening of domestic organizations and structure. How can we partner with elements from within that are not joining this campaign? All of these are factors that will contribute to the rapidity of the, of the transition. As far as myself being there, obviously there are security concerns to make sure that it's safe enough for me to go there. I'm no use to anyone if I'm dead. So obviously we have to keep that in mind, but I would like to be able to be there as soon as possible, uh, to be able to help as much as I can in this process. Obviously being in a country is an advantage. It's hard to do things from far away. I had no choice to be living in exile because of the circumstances, but I think that the opportunity is presenting itself and, um, the, the first opportunity that is created for me to safely return to Iran, I will obviously be there.

AI assessment note: “security concerns to make sure that it's safe enough for me to go there”

Q have for yourself? And this seems like a, a pretty high risk thing to do. It'd be pretty brave of you to, uh, go to the country now. What conditions have to be met for you to Go to Iran to go home for the first time in 47 years. And how close do you think we are to the people taking the streets now and for starting this transition?

A Well, to be honest with you, it's very difficult to put an exact timeline. Factors that will expedite it is the level of separation from the regime, the level of defections, the strengthening of domestic organizations and structure. How can we partner with elements from within that are not joining this campaign? All of these are factors that will contribute to the rapidity of the, of the transition. As far as myself being there, obviously there are security concerns to make sure that it's safe enough for me to go there. I'm no use to anyone if I'm dead. So obviously we have to keep that in mind, but I would like to be able to be there as soon as possible, uh, to be able to help as much as I can in this process. Obviously being in a country is an advantage. It's hard to do things from far away. I had no choice to be living in exile because of the circumstances, but I think that the opportunity is presenting itself and, um, the, the first opportunity that is created for me to safely return to Iran, I will obviously be there.

AI assessment note: “security concerns to make sure that it's safe enough for me to go there”

Q As I let you go, what should the American people know about the spirit, the culture, and the people of Iran, including the people who fled in 1979, like you and your family?

A Well, I, I know many Americans who have many Iranian friends. As a matter of fact, if you just look at the Iranian diaspora in the United States alone, you will see how much, uh, interaction there is between Iranians who are not Iranian Americans, if you will, many of them, and the kind of relationship they have built with, um, their American counterpart. Many people have, uh, connections via marriages. Many people have connections through Business affiliations. Many people have worked with Iranians. Many of the high-tech companies, including Silicon Valley, employ so many Iranians, or they are themselves entrepreneurs. This is the kind of potential, and I'm sure Shervin will talk to you more about that, but this is the kind of connections there is, and for Americans that have traveled to Iran or have known Iranians all these years, they know what, what, what country it represents, what amount of culture, arts, Um, I mean, civilization in a true sense, uh, Iranians represent, and they've been completely suffocated, uh, under this regime. But once Iran is, uh, is, uh, you know, free from its shackles, uh, I'm sure a lot of Americans know, um, what difference there is between an Iran that wants to be friends with America, that is not the regime that has from its inception called death to America or death to Israel, for instance, But there are Iranians who actually love to America…

AI assessment note: “what amount of culture, arts, Um, I mean, civilization in a true sense”

Q What do you believe the people of Iran want, and in that monarchy, Subset. There are the Gulf monarchies, uh, the kingdom, UAE, Qatar. They are obviously distinctly different, uh, than a parliamentary, you know, system. So I assume you wouldn't want to see that. What do you think the people of Iran will vote for?

A Well, just what you said. I mean, a democratic system clearly outlines how it should be and how it should not. I mean, if you want to look at the closest monarchy to the United States, technically speaking, it's Canada. And, you know, if you want to look at it that way, and I think Canadians are quite happy with a democracy that they enjoy. And again, we have very good models of republic. Case in point, the United States. At the end of the day, as I said, It's for the Iranian people to determine what would be in their best interest, having looked this time, unlike what happened, by the way, 50 years ago. Nobody had a clear idea what Khomeini was suggesting in terms of this as they call it, or the tutelage of the supreme leader. By the time he took over and power was established, it was too late. And since then, we've been hostages to this regime. This time in full transparency, Iranian people ought to have a clear idea of different models presented to them, and on that basis, having understood every aspect of what it could be, then they make their choice. This is a process that should be totally transparent with enough time for debating different ideas, and again, as I said, let the democratic process unfold and let the people vote in majority what is their final, uh, choice. I'm not here to determine an outcome. Again, I stress my role here is to manage this transition And cre…

AI assessment note: “It's for the Iranian people to determine what would be in their best interest”

Q As I let you go, what should the American people know about the spirit, the culture, and the people of Iran, including the people who fled in 1979, like you and your family?

A Well, I, I know many Americans who have many Iranian friends. As a matter of fact, if you just look at the Iranian diaspora in the United States alone, you will see how much, uh, interaction there is between Iranians who are not Iranian Americans, if you will, many of them, and the kind of relationship they have built with, um, their American counterpart. Many people have, uh, connections via marriages. Many people have connections through Business affiliations. Many people have worked with Iranians. Many of the high-tech companies, including Silicon Valley, employ so many Iranians, or they are themselves entrepreneurs. This is the kind of potential, and I'm sure Shervin will talk to you more about that, but this is the kind of connections there is, and for Americans that have traveled to Iran or have known Iranians all these years, they know what, what, what country it represents, what amount of culture, arts, Um, I mean, civilization in a true sense, uh, Iranians represent, and they've been completely suffocated, uh, under this regime. But once Iran is, uh, is, uh, you know, free from its shackles, uh, I'm sure a lot of Americans know, um, what difference there is between an Iran that wants to be friends with America, that is not the regime that has from its inception called death to America or death to Israel, for instance, But there are Iranians who actually love to America…

AI assessment note: “there are Iranians who actually love to America.”

Q Just this morning, Trump said there will be no deal. In Iran until unconditional surrender is given by whatever is left of the government there. What do you think of that condition? Is that the right move? Do you agree with Trump's ultimatum?

A Well, let me look at it from the domestic prism. In order for a successful transition to occur, it has ultimately to be something that is legitimate in the eyes of the Iranian people. We haven't lost so many tens of thousands of lives just to settle for a continuity of the remnants of this regime. That will not fly. People will want to have a clean break. The alternative will be for all those who align with the secular democratic alternative, and there are some four core principles that whoever adheres to that, including people who may today peel away from the regime, um, would be able to agree to work together on that platform. The first and foremost issue is, of course, Iran's Territorial integrity. That's an issue that is very close to the hearts of millions of Iranians representing every aspect of our diversified country in terms of ethnicities, religions, and what have you. But we find ourselves in this united cause under one flag and under one nation. The second element that is a prerequisite to democracy is a clear separation of religion from state. That's a critical element for a democracy to occur. Equality of all citizens under the law, and the rule of law obviously is a critical aspect that guarantees all of the rights we're talking about, and the democratic process itself, meaning the fact that people can elect their representatives to go to this constitutional asse…

AI assessment note: “Well, let me look at it from the domestic prism.”

Q What do you believe the people of Iran want, and in that monarchy, Subset. There are the Gulf monarchies, uh, the kingdom, UAE, Qatar. They are obviously distinctly different, uh, than a parliamentary, you know, system. So I assume you wouldn't want to see that. What do you think the people of Iran will vote for?

A Well, just what you said. I mean, a democratic system clearly outlines how it should be and how it should not. I mean, if you want to look at the closest monarchy to the United States, technically speaking, it's Canada. And, you know, if you want to look at it that way, and I think Canadians are quite happy with a democracy that they enjoy. And again, we have very good models of republic. Case in point, the United States. At the end of the day, as I said, It's for the Iranian people to determine what would be in their best interest, having looked this time, unlike what happened, by the way, 50 years ago. Nobody had a clear idea what Khomeini was suggesting in terms of this as they call it, or the tutelage of the supreme leader. By the time he took over and power was established, it was too late. And since then, we've been hostages to this regime. This time in full transparency, Iranian people ought to have a clear idea of different models presented to them, and on that basis, having understood every aspect of what it could be, then they make their choice. This is a process that should be totally transparent with enough time for debating different ideas, and again, as I said, let the democratic process unfold and let the people vote in majority what is their final, uh, choice. I'm not here to determine an outcome. Again, I stress my role here is to manage this transition And cre…

AI assessment note: “I'm not here to determine an outcome. Again, I stress my role here is”

Q Just this morning, Trump said there will be no deal. In Iran until unconditional surrender is given by whatever is left of the government there. What do you think of that condition? Is that the right move? Do you agree with Trump's ultimatum?

A Well, let me look at it from the domestic prism. In order for a successful transition to occur, it has ultimately to be something that is legitimate in the eyes of the Iranian people. We haven't lost so many tens of thousands of lives just to settle for a continuity of the remnants of this regime. That will not fly. People will want to have a clean break. The alternative will be for all those who align with the secular democratic alternative, and there are some four core principles that whoever adheres to that, including people who may today peel away from the regime, um, would be able to agree to work together on that platform. The first and foremost issue is, of course, Iran's Territorial integrity. That's an issue that is very close to the hearts of millions of Iranians representing every aspect of our diversified country in terms of ethnicities, religions, and what have you. But we find ourselves in this united cause under one flag and under one nation. The second element that is a prerequisite to democracy is a clear separation of religion from state. That's a critical element for a democracy to occur. Equality of all citizens under the law, and the rule of law obviously is a critical aspect that guarantees all of the rights we're talking about, and the democratic process itself, meaning the fact that people can elect their representatives to go to this constitutional asse…

AI assessment note: “Well, let me look at it from the domestic prism.”

Q follow right now because you're speaking directly to the people on X and on your YouTube channel. What is, what is the condition on the ground from the people you're talking to? You said you've been talking to people in the military. Civilians and other leadership, they're ready to move on. What's the timeline? And what are they telling you is happening on the ground today as we sit here?

A Well, I think that now the playing field has been equalized, meaning that the people could finally, of course, awaiting the end of this campaign, have a better opportunity to re-engage the streets and take over their homeland. Of course, part of the equation is how much implosion from within the regime and how much defections from the regime In the sense of joining with the people this time, and not be an instrument that will halt the people's progress, but instead help the people in that transition, meaning whether people are in the military or security forces, as well as a civilian bureaucracy. Unlike what happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'athification, the scenario of change in Iran is totally different. And let's not forget, Iran is a multiple century old nation state. It's a country that is extremely Unified and united for this common purpose. Under this tent, we have diverse groups that are joining in this national campaign. People who are on the right, the center, the left, monarchies, Republicans, ethnic groups, religious groups. Every sector of society is engaged. I've had tremendous amount of support coming from inside Iran. We have the support of the intelligentsia. We have the support of universities. We have the support of the working class. We have the support of the diaspora that can bring a lot to this equation. I think this is a good recipe t…

AI assessment note: “Every sector of society is engaged. I've had tremendous amount of support coming from inside”

Q follow right now because you're speaking directly to the people on X and on your YouTube channel. What is, what is the condition on the ground from the people you're talking to? You said you've been talking to people in the military. Civilians and other leadership, they're ready to move on. What's the timeline? And what are they telling you is happening on the ground today as we sit here?

A Well, I think that now the playing field has been equalized, meaning that the people could finally, of course, awaiting the end of this campaign, have a better opportunity to re-engage the streets and take over their homeland. Of course, part of the equation is how much implosion from within the regime and how much defections from the regime In the sense of joining with the people this time, and not be an instrument that will halt the people's progress, but instead help the people in that transition, meaning whether people are in the military or security forces, as well as a civilian bureaucracy. Unlike what happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'athification, the scenario of change in Iran is totally different. And let's not forget, Iran is a multiple century old nation state. It's a country that is extremely Unified and united for this common purpose. Under this tent, we have diverse groups that are joining in this national campaign. People who are on the right, the center, the left, monarchies, Republicans, ethnic groups, religious groups. Every sector of society is engaged. I've had tremendous amount of support coming from inside Iran. We have the support of the intelligentsia. We have the support of universities. We have the support of the working class. We have the support of the diaspora that can bring a lot to this equation. I think this is a good recipe t…

AI assessment note: “Under this tent, we have diverse groups that are joining in this national campaign.”