{"id":87625,"date":"2026-06-26T03:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T01:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=87625"},"modified":"2026-06-25T19:00:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T17:00:07","slug":"gen-james-jones-highlights-democratic-roadmap-for-iran-and-rejects-return-to-monarchy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/06\/gen-james-jones-highlights-democratic-roadmap-for-iran-and-rejects-return-to-monarchy\/87625\/","title":{"rendered":"Gen. James Jones Highlights Democratic Roadmap for Iran and Rejects Return to Monarchy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Gen. — Gen. James Jones addresses the Free Iran 2026 Summit, highlighting democracy, freedom, and Iran\u2019s political future.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
On June 21, during the second day of the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris<\/a>, General James L. Jones, former U.S. National Security Advisor, delivered a significant address marking 15 years of his support for the Iranian Resistance and the residents of Ashraf. Gen. Jones began his remarks by expressing his deep appreciation to Maryam Rajavi for honoring the memory of his late wife, before turning to what he described as a decisive geopolitical moment for Iran and the future of the ruling regime.<\/p>\n
Gen. Jones strongly criticized restrictions imposed on the Iranian diaspora\u2019s ability to hold demonstrations in the host country, warning that any approach based on appeasement toward the clerical regime or efforts to provide legitimacy to the Pahlavi network would damage the prospects for democratic change in Iran. He emphasized that despite recent ceasefire arrangements and political understandings, the struggle over Iran\u2019s future remains unresolved. According to him, the remaining elements of the regime are facing their weakest position in five decades, confronted by a collapsing economy and growing public anger following the January 2026 nationwide uprising.<\/p>\n
Gen. Jones argued that the essential conditions for a successful democratic transition in Iran are now in place: a deep internal crisis of legitimacy within the regime, a population seeking fundamental change, and the presence of an organized and committed opposition movement represented by the NCRI<\/a> and the MEK. Referring to the rejection of Reza Pahlavi by senior U.S. officials, he called on international allies to actively challenge Tehran\u2019s disinformation campaigns. He concluded by urging Western governments to recognize Maryam Rajavi<\/a>\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a>, stating that the Iranian people have the capacity to bring about the end of dictatorship without the need for foreign military intervention.<\/p>\n
Excerpts of General James L. Jones<\/strong>**\u2018 speech follow:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n**
**Thank you. Thank you and good afternoon to everyone.<\/p>\n**
**If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to start by thanking Mrs. Rajavi and her team for bringing us all together one more time for a very, very important meeting.<\/p>\n**
And if I may on a personal basis, thank you, Mrs. Rajavi, for mentioning my wife, who passed away on October 17th last year. You are very kind in doing that, and I appreciate it, and my family does as well.<\/p>\n
Distinguished speakers from yesterday, may I say that I\u2019ve been coming to this gathering for a long time, and I have never heard such passion, such commitment, and such illuminating vocal expression of support for Iran and the future of Iran.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve inspired me. I will not achieve the same degree of passion that you have demonstrated. As a military guy, I tend to be short, but yesterday was a wonderful day, and I thank you all for your words.<\/p>\n
To the Iranian people, especially those at Ashraf who\u2019ve lived through Ashraf 1, 2, and 3, this year marks my 15th year in support of your group and support of the suffering that you\u2019ve endured and the appallingly late and weak response by the international community to recognize the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi as the true leader of what is destined to be the future of Iran.<\/p>\n
**$\"\"$ <\/p>\n**
**Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here.<\/p>\n**
In my original draft of my remarks, I had hoped to start by mentioning the success of yesterday\u2019s rally as an opening statement, but yesterday\u2019s speakers covered the extreme disappointment of the host nation\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
But suffice it to say that anyone that appeases Iran and the regime and the Pahlavi network, especially at this time, is not helpful to what our goals are for Iran\u2019s future, which is destined to be aligned with Mrs. Rajavi\u2019s Ten-Point Plan.<\/p>\n
So, my message today will be a little bit different, but is about what could come next\u2014by next, I mean this year. This battle is not over, regardless of [whatever] MOUs are signed, regardless of what leaders are saying on television in support of their positions. This battle is not over.<\/p>\n
**In actuality, the surviving members of the regime are at their weakest point in almost a half a century in terms of capability, in terms of managing an economy which is in shambles.<\/p>\n**
**Tehran itself is running out of water, and services for the people are critically lacking.<\/p>\n**
**Ladies and gentlemen, there are three parameters for regime change.<\/p>\n**
One is the condition of an explosive weakness, a crisis of legitimacy in the country, dysfunction of the economy, corruption, repression, genocide. All of those things continue in Iran undiminished.<\/p>\n
**The widespread dissatisfaction of the January 2026 uprising and the increasing instability for the regime\u2014we have all of that as we look at the situation today.<\/p>\n**
The existence of [an] organized self-sacrificing force such as the MEK, and the NCRI with democratic aspirations and a leader like Madame Rajavi, the one organization the regime truly fears\u2014we have that.<\/p>\n
**Executions to create fear, genocide, don\u2019t seem to be mentioned in the MOU, by the way.<\/p>\n**
**The fragility of the regime is now revealed.<\/p>\n**
**And when organized resistance convenes and converges with widespread discontent, a pathway to democratic transfer emerges very clearly and very quickly.<\/p>\n**
**The false narratives of the Pahlavi candidacy were also clearly addressed yesterday.<\/p>\n**
**Partnership with the regime and halting peaceful demonstrations, the emergence and even the mention of SAVAK is shameful.<\/p>\n**
**President Trump and Vice President Vance have recently spoken publicly rejecting the candidacy of Reza Pahlavi.<\/p>\n**
**It is now time to make sure that both of those gentlemen understand the existence of Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI.<\/p>\n**
\n
\u201cIt\u2019s now time to make sure both that those gentlemen (@POTUS<\/a> & @JDVance<\/a>) understand the existence of @Maryam_Rajavi<\/a> and the NCRI.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 General James Jones pic.twitter.com\/n7JcDNZjAN<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Gen. James Jones addresses the Free Iran 2026 Summit, highlighting democracy, freedom, and Iran\u2019s political future.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
On June 21, during the second day of the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris<\/a>, General James L. Jones, former U.S. National Security Advisor, delivered a significant address marking 15 years of his support for the Iranian Resistance and the residents of Ashraf. Gen. Jones began his remarks by expressing his deep appreciation to Maryam Rajavi for honoring the memory of his late wife, before turning to what he described as a decisive geopolitical moment for Iran and the future of the ruling regime.<\/p>\n
Gen. Jones strongly criticized restrictions imposed on the Iranian diaspora\u2019s ability to hold demonstrations in the host country, warning that any approach based on appeasement toward the clerical regime or efforts to provide legitimacy to the Pahlavi network would damage the prospects for democratic change in Iran. He emphasized that despite recent ceasefire arrangements and political understandings, the struggle over Iran\u2019s future remains unresolved. According to him, the remaining elements of the regime are facing their weakest position in five decades, confronted by a collapsing economy and growing public anger following the January 2026 nationwide uprising.<\/p>\n
Gen. Jones argued that the essential conditions for a successful democratic transition in Iran are now in place: a deep internal crisis of legitimacy within the regime, a population seeking fundamental change, and the presence of an organized and committed opposition movement represented by the NCRI<\/a> and the MEK. Referring to the rejection of Reza Pahlavi by senior U.S. officials, he called on international allies to actively challenge Tehran\u2019s disinformation campaigns. He concluded by urging Western governments to recognize Maryam Rajavi<\/a>\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a>, stating that the Iranian people have the capacity to bring about the end of dictatorship without the need for foreign military intervention.<\/p>\n
Excerpts of General James L. Jones<\/strong>**\u2018 speech follow:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n**
**Thank you. Thank you and good afternoon to everyone.<\/p>\n**
**If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to start by thanking Mrs. Rajavi and her team for bringing us all together one more time for a very, very important meeting.<\/p>\n**
And if I may on a personal basis, thank you, Mrs. Rajavi, for mentioning my wife, who passed away on October 17th last year. You are very kind in doing that, and I appreciate it, and my family does as well.<\/p>\n
Distinguished speakers from yesterday, may I say that I\u2019ve been coming to this gathering for a long time, and I have never heard such passion, such commitment, and such illuminating vocal expression of support for Iran and the future of Iran.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve inspired me. I will not achieve the same degree of passion that you have demonstrated. As a military guy, I tend to be short, but yesterday was a wonderful day, and I thank you all for your words.<\/p>\n
To the Iranian people, especially those at Ashraf who\u2019ve lived through Ashraf 1, 2, and 3, this year marks my 15th year in support of your group and support of the suffering that you\u2019ve endured and the appallingly late and weak response by the international community to recognize the NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi as the true leader of what is destined to be the future of Iran.<\/p>\n
**$\"\"$ <\/p>\n**
**Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here.<\/p>\n**
In my original draft of my remarks, I had hoped to start by mentioning the success of yesterday\u2019s rally as an opening statement, but yesterday\u2019s speakers covered the extreme disappointment of the host nation\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
But suffice it to say that anyone that appeases Iran and the regime and the Pahlavi network, especially at this time, is not helpful to what our goals are for Iran\u2019s future, which is destined to be aligned with Mrs. Rajavi\u2019s Ten-Point Plan.<\/p>\n
So, my message today will be a little bit different, but is about what could come next\u2014by next, I mean this year. This battle is not over, regardless of [whatever] MOUs are signed, regardless of what leaders are saying on television in support of their positions. This battle is not over.<\/p>\n
**In actuality, the surviving members of the regime are at their weakest point in almost a half a century in terms of capability, in terms of managing an economy which is in shambles.<\/p>\n**
**Tehran itself is running out of water, and services for the people are critically lacking.<\/p>\n**
**Ladies and gentlemen, there are three parameters for regime change.<\/p>\n**
One is the condition of an explosive weakness, a crisis of legitimacy in the country, dysfunction of the economy, corruption, repression, genocide. All of those things continue in Iran undiminished.<\/p>\n
**The widespread dissatisfaction of the January 2026 uprising and the increasing instability for the regime\u2014we have all of that as we look at the situation today.<\/p>\n**
The existence of [an] organized self-sacrificing force such as the MEK, and the NCRI with democratic aspirations and a leader like Madame Rajavi, the one organization the regime truly fears\u2014we have that.<\/p>\n
**Executions to create fear, genocide, don\u2019t seem to be mentioned in the MOU, by the way.<\/p>\n**
**The fragility of the regime is now revealed.<\/p>\n**
**And when organized resistance convenes and converges with widespread discontent, a pathway to democratic transfer emerges very clearly and very quickly.<\/p>\n**
**The false narratives of the Pahlavi candidacy were also clearly addressed yesterday.<\/p>\n**
**Partnership with the regime and halting peaceful demonstrations, the emergence and even the mention of SAVAK is shameful.<\/p>\n**
**President Trump and Vice President Vance have recently spoken publicly rejecting the candidacy of Reza Pahlavi.<\/p>\n**
**It is now time to make sure that both of those gentlemen understand the existence of Mrs. Rajavi and the NCRI.<\/p>\n**
\n
\u201cIt\u2019s now time to make sure both that those gentlemen (@POTUS<\/a> & @JDVance<\/a>) understand the existence of @Maryam_Rajavi<\/a> and the NCRI.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 General James Jones pic.twitter.com\/n7JcDNZjAN<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n