Alireza Jafarzadeh joins Allen Jackson to discuss current events.
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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Iranian Revolt | Allen Jackson Now | January 13, 2026
- Well, good evening and welcome to nashville.
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- I'm alan jackson.
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- You know, it's not often that i can say this,
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- But i'm pleased to report
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- That the bad guys around the world are losing.
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- The assad family dynasty in syria has ended.
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- In bangladesh, sheikh hasina was forced to resign.
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- The leaders of both hezbollah and hamas have been taken out.
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- And nicolas maduro has been removed from the power
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- He seized years ago in venezuela.
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- Is iran's ayatollah khamenei next?
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- Well, he's
- 00:00:32.891 --> 00:00:34.025
- Been the supreme leader of iran for more than 36 years.
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- But a revolution is underway, and the 90 plus million people
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- Who live there,
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- They may now have enough momentum to take control.
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- With us tonight is the deputy director
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- Of the national council of resistance of iran, alireza
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- Jaffer zaidi, who's coming to us from washington dc.
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- Welcome to our show, sir.
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- Thank you so much.
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- Has it jackson, always a pleasure to appear on your show.
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- Well, the protesters have been active for two weeks,
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- Not just in tehran but throughout the country.
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- The economy is in freefall, water is scarce.
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- Electricity is going on and off
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- Without warning, and prices for everything are sky high.
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- President
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- Trump has told american citizens to leave iran while they can.
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- And on top of nationwide shortages of many products,
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- He's placed
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- A 25% tariff on any country doing business with iran.
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- Well over 500 unarmed
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- Civilians have been killed and at least 10,000 arrested.
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- With all that, let's begin by telling us what you're hearing
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- From your contacts on the ground.
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- There.
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- Well, there over
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- Two weeks have passed since the uprisings started in iran.
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- Back in december 2018.
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- That started with the, deteriorating currency rate,
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- Of the iranian currency
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- And their bazaar, their small merchants,
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- Went on strike and protested, and it expanded
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- To other parts of the society in tehran and other cities.
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- The poor, the deprived, the smaller towns and cities.
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- I've got involve and join.
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- And then the students joined.
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- So it was a very unique moment that,
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- The entire society pretty much was involved in the protest.
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- And soon the issue became very political.
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- In the second and third day, the chants were death
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- To the dictator, death to khamenei,
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- Who is the supreme leader of the iranian regime.
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- Death to the oppressor beat the shah with the supreme
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- Leader, making it very clear that the people of iran,
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- Just the same way that they should stay
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- A dictatorship of the shah and so on.
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- Again, you know, the senior party rule,
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- They are determined to end the rule of theocracy.
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- That is not only hurting
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- The people of iran, but everybody else.
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- Now, the latest numbers we have had in the first two weeks
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- Of the protests, the number of killings are very high.
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- The most conservative,
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- In report that we have been able to compile
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- Based on our network inside iran,
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- You know, hospital reports, morgues
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- And so many members, at least 3000 people,
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- Have been killed, during the protests.
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- And the actual numbers may be much higher.
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- And many people have been arrested.
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- The iran regime has said, through its supreme leader
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- That they're going to deal with decisively with those
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- Who have the
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- That been arrested, meaning they're going to jail them.
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- So that's the situation.
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- But the one thing is clear is that this nation
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- Is so determined to end the rule of the clerics
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- That they are willing
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- To pay the price, and nothing is actually going to deter them.
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- It may delay things,
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- But they will there, you know, there will be ups and downs.
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- But, you know, it won't change the desire and commitment.
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- And the resolution of the people to and the rule of
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- The place once and for all.
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- Well, more than
- 00:04:02.867 --> 00:04:03.968
- 40% of iran's population is less than 25 years old.
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- They have no idea other than what they've been told
- 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:10.608
- About when iran was a very different country.
- 00:04:10.608 --> 00:04:13.645
- But they certainly know about the deadly hand
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- The government has used when previous protests started,
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- Like the 1500 protesters who were killed in 2019.
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- So the young population are familiar with the brutality.
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- What's their imagination of hope for the future?
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- Well, this very young generation,
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- Exactly as you said, that,
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- They saw nothing but the mullahs and their propaganda,
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- And their control and their, you know,
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- Imposing themselves on their population.
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- This is the very same, group of people,
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- Same generation, who are vehemently opposed,
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- To the ayatollahs,
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- Because even though they may not,
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- It was many of them weren't
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- Even born at the time of the revolution
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- Or in the early days after the revolution.
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- But once they for sure they know that there is a history
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- And desire and a tradition, and a culture created
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- By those who have been
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- Fighting for freedom in iran from the very early days
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- After the revolution to the 80s and the 90s.
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- They have seen stories.
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- They have had family members, you know, they're all family and
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- And they know about these stories of heroism,
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- Of the people of iran, that they said no to the mullahs.
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- I have in front of me, a very thick book,
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- That, you can see how thick it is
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- That contains the names and particulars of,
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- You know, some 20,000 members of the iranian opposition
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- Or were killed by the iran regime since 1981 until now.
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- And the the list is actually a lot bigger than this.
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- So really showing that how, you know,
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- A big price has been paid and the regime failed.
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- For instance, in summer of 1988, they massacred
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- 30,000 political prisoners, most of them
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- Belonging to the main route in opposition.
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- And the mek, based on a fatwa, a religious decree issued by
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- My niece saying anyone who is in any way associated with them
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- Must be murdered.
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- They thought that killing everybody
- 00:06:15.834 --> 00:06:18.470
- That they had in their possession,
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- This is going to end the resistance.
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- It did that.
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- Now it's the children and grandchildren,
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- The family members,
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- The siblings of those who were executed by the regime,
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- Who have this fire in them cells, this commitment.
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- And you see them in the streets of tehran and,
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- You know, all 31 promises of iran,
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- That commitment for change is actually there.
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- That's why
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- This younger generation is the biggest enemy of the mullahs,
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- And that they constitute the core of the organized
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- Force on the ground.
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- You know, there are what they call
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- Resistance units, operated by this main organization,
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- That they are the ones who are acting as engine for change.
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- And they were involved
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- In the first two weeks of the protest extensively
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- In maintaining the momentum in supporting the population,
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- In confronting the revolutionary guards and creating
- 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:10.688
- This hope that change will happen.
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- You know, the ninth
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- United states efforts in the middle east
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- Towards regime change and nation building have gone so well.
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- But i don't think the american people have much appetite to be
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- Have boots on the ground. another conflict.
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- What type of participation or support are the iranian people
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- Looking for from the united states?
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- You're absolutely correct.
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- You know, this movement has never asked for,
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- Foreign boots on the ground
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- Or appropriation of money or any help like that.
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- Because, you know, you want to have a stable
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- Situation, created by the people on their own.
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- That's why,
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- This movement relies on its own population, its own forces.
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- They build everything over the years.
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- And, they're not asking for any help to the country.
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- The biggest help the outside world can provide
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- Is to deprive a help to the iranian regime.
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- Stop giving them money and resources is stop
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- Giving them legitimacy is stop giving them,
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- You know, concessions.
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- And allow them, you know, to get away
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- With their terrorism and, and, hostage taking and, you know,
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- Killings and developing nuclear weapons and missile.
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- So that's why i think, especially now,
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- The biggest help is to recognize the rights of the people
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- Of iran to overthrow their regime on their own,
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- Recognize the right of these resistance units on the ground
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- To confront the revolutionary guards,
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- To do whatever it takes to bring down
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- Dictatorships, the same way that all
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- The other dictatorships around
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- The world were overthrown indigenously by the people.
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- That same situation exist in iran.
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- So that's all the, they're asking for.
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- You know, the united states sent in the most advanced bombers
- 00:09:01.666 --> 00:09:04.235
- In the fleet when they took out iran's nuclear facilities.
- 00:09:04.235 --> 00:09:07.772
- And now president trump has warned
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- The leadership that they need to leave the protesters alone
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- Or else listen to what he said.
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- I've made this statement very strongly that if they start
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- Killing people like they have in the past,
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- We will get involved.
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- We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts.
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- I just hope
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- The protesters in iran
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- Are going to be safe, because that's
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- A very dangerous place right now.
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- And again,
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- I tell the iranian leaders, you better not start shooting
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- Because we'll start shooting too.
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- Do you think the leaders in iran have a better idea
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- Now of what that could mean for them?
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- One thing i know,
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- That, you know, these mullahs ruling
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- Iran for the past 3 or 4 decades,
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- Was so used to getting, you know, concessions from the west.
- 00:09:50.615 --> 00:09:55.219
- The policy of appeasement was always in favor of the mullahs.
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- They got away with everything, you know, in
- 00:09:59.557 --> 00:10:02.894
- August of 2002, we expose right here in washington,
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- The natanz uranium enrichment facility.
- 00:10:07.098 --> 00:10:09.400
- And iraq heavy weather facility in 2005.
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- We expose the underground facility known as fordo
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- That under the mountains, they were building centrifuges.
- 00:10:16.474 --> 00:10:20.078
- And that could have easily been stopped
- 00:10:20.078 --> 00:10:23.014
- If the outside world would get involved.
- 00:10:23.014 --> 00:10:25.249
- And all the evidence was out there.
- 00:10:25.249 --> 00:10:27.952
- In the past 20 years, we have had 130 different cases
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- Of revelations of the iran regime's nuclear
- 00:10:32.557 --> 00:10:34.992
- Weapons program, but instead the europeans rush
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- To, you know, give the regime concessions.
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- They tolerated their program.
- 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.000
- They started dealing and negotiating
- 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.369
- Various administrations here in the united states and europe
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- Were rushing to do that.
- 00:10:48.272 --> 00:10:49.774
- And then you got to a point that the regime,
- 00:10:49.774 --> 00:10:51.943
- You know, developed that, that nuclear weapons so advanced
- 00:10:51.943 --> 00:10:55.480
- And their missile program that the drone program,
- 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:58.015
- Which we also expose that era is changed
- 00:10:58.015 --> 00:11:02.954
- And the mullahs are not used to it.
- 00:11:02.954 --> 00:11:05.623
- And it hasn't just changed here.
- 00:11:05.623 --> 00:11:07.959
- You know, it was europe,
- 00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:09.927
- That actually was in the forefront of,
- 00:11:09.927 --> 00:11:12.497
- At the un snapping back the sanctions on iran regime.
- 00:11:12.497 --> 00:11:15.867
- Now you have voices from europe backing the united states
- 00:11:15.867 --> 00:11:19.470
- In being firm against state energy.
- 00:11:19.470 --> 00:11:21.873
- We have never seen that era before.
- 00:11:21.873 --> 00:11:24.142
- So i hope the mullahs will get the message
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- That both internally and internationally,
- 00:11:27.545 --> 00:11:31.182
- The circumstances have changed significantly
- 00:11:31.182 --> 00:11:34.385
- Against the mullahs and in favor of the people.
- 00:11:34.385 --> 00:11:37.321
- And, well, mr.
- 00:11:37.321 --> 00:11:38.923
- Jeffers, we need to take a short break.
- 00:11:38.923 --> 00:11:41.359
- Please stand by for another segment.
- 00:11:41.359 --> 00:11:43.628
- We'll be right back.
- 00:11:43.628 --> 00:11:52.001
- We'll be right back.
- 00:11:52.001 --> 00:11:56.440
- We're back now with ali rasiej.
- 00:11:57.074 --> 00:11:59.644
- He's the deputy director
- 00:11:59.644 --> 00:12:00.912
- Of national council of resistance of iran.
- 00:12:00.912 --> 00:12:04.382
- You'd have to be of a certain age
- 00:12:04.382 --> 00:12:05.983
- To remember the name of muhammad reza pahlavi.
- 00:12:05.983 --> 00:12:09.120
- He was the last shah of iran.
- 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.022
- Well, his son is living in a safe place in france.
- 00:12:11.022 --> 00:12:13.891
- He was the one
- 00:12:13.891 --> 00:12:14.592
- Who recently called on iranians
- 00:12:14.592 --> 00:12:15.993
- To rally against the regime and liberate iran.
- 00:12:15.993 --> 00:12:19.030
- As he explained in a recent television appearance.
- 00:12:19.030 --> 00:12:21.566
- Listen to his comments.
- 00:12:21.566 --> 00:12:23.968
- This is an opportunity to liberate that nation.
- 00:12:23.968 --> 00:12:26.437
- Remember, the same thugs that hate america
- 00:12:26.437 --> 00:12:30.208
- Also hate their own people.
- 00:12:30.208 --> 00:12:32.476
- And this is an opportunity to help a nation
- 00:12:32.476 --> 00:12:35.947
- That starves for liberty, that starts to be rejoined
- 00:12:35.947 --> 00:12:39.450
- With a free world, and to have the same
- 00:12:39.450 --> 00:12:41.352
- Relationship that we had with america
- 00:12:41.352 --> 00:12:43.454
- Before this revolution occurred, to liberate ourselves
- 00:12:43.454 --> 00:12:47.391
- And come back to the fold
- 00:12:47.391 --> 00:12:48.826
- And contribute to world peace, stability.
- 00:12:48.826 --> 00:12:51.529
- His father ruled iran until 1979.
- 00:12:52.230 --> 00:12:55.733
- So would he be the natural heir apparent?
- 00:12:55.733 --> 00:13:00.705
- Well absolutely not.
- 00:13:01.172 --> 00:13:02.807
- Because,
- 00:13:02.807 --> 00:13:04.842
- The only reason you know about him.
- 00:13:04.842 --> 00:13:06.811
- Because he's the son of a deposed dictator.
- 00:13:06.811 --> 00:13:10.047
- The shah, who ruled iran, with iron fist.
- 00:13:10.047 --> 00:13:14.318
- He was so arrogant that he appeared on
- 00:13:14.318 --> 00:13:17.822
- National television in 1975 and dissolved
- 00:13:17.822 --> 00:13:22.093
- All political parties who were allegiance to him anyways,
- 00:13:22.093 --> 00:13:26.197
- And he declared it his all new party,
- 00:13:26.197 --> 00:13:28.299
- Asking everyone to either join this party or you go to jail.
- 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:31.569
- You get your passport, leave the country.
- 00:13:31.569 --> 00:13:33.671
- That was the level of arrogance.
- 00:13:33.671 --> 00:13:35.439
- And he was so,
- 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:37.508
- Relying on the secret
- 00:13:37.508 --> 00:13:39.877
- Police sabacc, that put the intellectuals in jail.
- 00:13:39.877 --> 00:13:43.714
- He built the the notorious evin prison,
- 00:13:43.714 --> 00:13:46.851
- To jail intellectuals.
- 00:13:46.851 --> 00:13:49.420
- He had a very corrupt system, confiscating
- 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:52.857
- The resources of the country with his family and everything.
- 00:13:52.857 --> 00:13:55.927
- That's why, there was a revolution,
- 00:13:55.927 --> 00:13:59.397
- Against him, against his dictatorship.
- 00:13:59.397 --> 00:14:02.366
- And before he knew it, the people, swept him
- 00:14:02.366 --> 00:14:05.736
- Out of power and, therefore, the and then, of course,
- 00:14:05.736 --> 00:14:10.808
- The bad thing is that the mullahs stole
- 00:14:10.808 --> 00:14:14.045
- The leadership off a genuine revolution,
- 00:14:14.045 --> 00:14:16.247
- Which they really had nothing to do with it,
- 00:14:16.247 --> 00:14:18.549
- You know, for many, was in iraq, in najaf until four months
- 00:14:18.549 --> 00:14:23.754
- Before the victory of the iranian revolution.
- 00:14:23.754 --> 00:14:27.158
- He saw the, the vacuum, he saw the opportunity.
- 00:14:27.158 --> 00:14:31.362
- He quickly left iraq and went to,
- 00:14:31.362 --> 00:14:34.432
- Newfoundland chateau near paris
- 00:14:34.432 --> 00:14:36.367
- And stole the leadership of a genuine revolution. how?
- 00:14:36.367 --> 00:14:40.237
- Because he was relying on the network of the mosque,
- 00:14:40.237 --> 00:14:43.307
- Which was remained intact under the shah.
- 00:14:43.307 --> 00:14:45.876
- The shah loved to work with the mosque and give them money
- 00:14:45.876 --> 00:14:48.746
- Because they praised him. he used to.
- 00:14:48.746 --> 00:14:50.648
- He was able to sell it, to the,
- 00:14:50.648 --> 00:14:53.684
- Americans and others that, basically
- 00:14:53.684 --> 00:14:56.988
- What happened is, is that the, they are anti-communist.
- 00:14:56.988 --> 00:15:01.025
- That's how they sold it. but what happened?
- 00:15:01.025 --> 00:15:03.260
- And the clergy were praising the shah.
- 00:15:03.260 --> 00:15:05.629
- But what happened, actually, when the vacuum came, when they,
- 00:15:05.629 --> 00:15:09.800
- Uprising came because the intellectuals were jailed
- 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:13.371
- And khomeini was able to use
- 00:15:13.371 --> 00:15:14.805
- That to steal the leadership of that revolution.
- 00:15:14.805 --> 00:15:17.908
- So it's inconceivable to think about a going backwards.
- 00:15:17.908 --> 00:15:22.013
- This movement, as you see in the streets
- 00:15:22.013 --> 00:15:24.248
- Of iran in other places, is not about going backwards.
- 00:15:24.248 --> 00:15:28.419
- It's about future, you don't, you know, you don't reinstate
- 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:32.423
- A dictatorship which a nation wants to overthrow.
- 00:15:32.423 --> 00:15:36.093
- It's about political freedoms.
- 00:15:36.694 --> 00:15:38.329
- It's about, you know, freedom of political parties,
- 00:15:38.329 --> 00:15:42.033
- Multi-party system, the vote of the, the population.
- 00:15:42.033 --> 00:15:45.803
- That's where the future is going.
- 00:15:45.803 --> 00:15:48.272
- One last quick question.
- 00:15:48.806 --> 00:15:50.608
- You know, on the ground, we're reading that some of the
- 00:15:50.608 --> 00:15:52.309
- I told us
- 00:15:52.309 --> 00:15:53.110
- Troops have put their weapons down
- 00:15:53.110 --> 00:15:54.311
- And are siding with the protesters.
- 00:15:54.311 --> 00:15:56.347
- What can you tell us about the state
- 00:15:56.347 --> 00:15:57.782
- Of the ayatollahs security forces?
- 00:15:57.782 --> 00:16:00.618
- Well, you know, the,
- 00:16:00.618 --> 00:16:03.087
- The regime,
- 00:16:03.087 --> 00:16:04.889
- Is is in a very fragile situation.
- 00:16:04.889 --> 00:16:07.958
- They did a lot of executions in 2025, hoping that this will,
- 00:16:07.958 --> 00:16:14.065
- Prevent the resurgence of, another uprising.
- 00:16:14.065 --> 00:16:18.636
- It didn't help.
- 00:16:18.636 --> 00:16:19.537
- And you have seen what you have seen?
- 00:16:19.537 --> 00:16:21.939
- Of course, the regime relies on the revolutionary guards
- 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:24.909
- And the message, to put down the revolt and execute people
- 00:16:24.909 --> 00:16:29.413
- And kill people and stay in power.
- 00:16:29.413 --> 00:16:32.550
- But as the momentum shifts in the region,
- 00:16:32.550 --> 00:16:35.019
- You know, they lost much of their regional powers,
- 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:37.788
- Their proxies are gone.
- 00:16:37.788 --> 00:16:39.590
- Their biggest ally in the region,
- 00:16:39.590 --> 00:16:41.258
- Assad, is gone now, their biggest
- 00:16:41.258 --> 00:16:43.861
- Ally in the western hemisphere.
- 00:16:43.861 --> 00:16:45.863
- Maduro is gone.
- 00:16:45.863 --> 00:16:47.198
- The people of iran are taking
- 00:16:47.198 --> 00:16:48.966
- Higher risks to end the rule of the clerics.
- 00:16:48.966 --> 00:16:51.702
- So, you know, you will see the deterioration
- 00:16:51.702 --> 00:16:55.306
- Within the ranks of the lower ranks of revolutionary guards.
- 00:16:55.306 --> 00:16:59.110
- But that will only happen
- 00:16:59.110 --> 00:17:00.978
- When you are able to tilt the balance of power that they see,
- 00:17:00.978 --> 00:17:05.116
- And they feel that the regime is on the losing side.
- 00:17:05.116 --> 00:17:08.285
- You will you will see some of that.
- 00:17:08.285 --> 00:17:10.154
- That's why it's important.
- 00:17:10.154 --> 00:17:12.223
- To, rely on those on the ground who are confronting
- 00:17:12.223 --> 00:17:16.327
- The revolutionary guards to end the rule of the clerics.
- 00:17:16.327 --> 00:17:19.830
- But the other question is that you know,
- 00:17:19.830 --> 00:17:21.832
- After the fall of the mullahs, what's going to happen next?
- 00:17:21.832 --> 00:17:25.102
- You know, the leader of this movement is a woman, mrs.
- 00:17:25.102 --> 00:17:28.606
- Mariam. right.
- 00:17:28.606 --> 00:17:29.673
- She heads the national council of resistance of iran.
- 00:17:29.673 --> 00:17:33.277
- And, she has, committed
- 00:17:33.277 --> 00:17:36.180
- That after the fall of the ayatollahs,
- 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:38.115
- There was going to be a provisio
- 00:17:38.115 --> 00:17:40.851
- Run the affairs of the country for no more than six months.
- 00:17:41.986 --> 00:17:45.256
- Within that six months period, there will be, free and fair
- 00:17:45.256 --> 00:17:48.859
- Elections leading to the formation
- 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:51.462
- Of a national and constituent assembly, which would determine,
- 00:17:51.462 --> 00:17:55.766
- The next provisional government,
- 00:17:55.766 --> 00:17:57.701
- But also draft a new constitution
- 00:17:57.701 --> 00:18:00.237
- And put it to the vote of the people.
- 00:18:00.237 --> 00:18:02.373
- That's when the
- 00:18:02.373 --> 00:18:03.541
- Responsibility of the ncri a national council, is set up.
- 00:18:03.541 --> 00:18:07.244
- Iran would end.
- 00:18:07.244 --> 00:18:08.679
- That's because, you know, we have by then succeeded
- 00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:12.516
- In turning power away from the ayatollahs and give it
- 00:18:12.516 --> 00:18:16.086
- To the elected representatives of the people of iran.
- 00:18:16.086 --> 00:18:19.023
- And of course, in a free iran, anyone is free to come and,
- 00:18:19.023 --> 00:18:23.527
- And stand before the, the public the vote of their population.
- 00:18:23.527 --> 00:18:27.998
- Anyone can participate from any, you know, backgrounds
- 00:18:27.998 --> 00:18:32.136
- And religions and political backgrounds in order to,
- 00:18:32.136 --> 00:18:36.207
- You know, to to participate in elections and be elected.
- 00:18:36.207 --> 00:18:39.076
- If people voted for anybody, that's perfect.
- 00:18:39.076 --> 00:18:42.479
- So that's the commitment that this movement has made.
- 00:18:42.479 --> 00:18:45.549
- You know, our leader has said
- 00:18:45.549 --> 00:18:47.117
- That we're not fighting to get in power.
- 00:18:47.117 --> 00:18:50.187
- We're not even fighting to share power.
- 00:18:50.187 --> 00:18:52.923
- Rather, we are willing to sacrifice,
- 00:18:52.923 --> 00:18:55.259
- You know, our whole movement, our, our, our members, in order
- 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:59.096
- To give the people of iran, to determine their own future.
- 00:18:59.096 --> 00:19:03.467
- Well, mr.
- 00:19:03.767 --> 00:19:04.802
- Jafar, zahra day, thank you for your time today.
- 00:19:04.802 --> 00:19:06.537
- That's a lengthy prayer list.
- 00:19:06.537 --> 00:19:08.439
- We'll stay with it. i hope you'll stay in touch.
- 00:19:08.439 --> 00:19:10.574
- We can have you back on as things are changing.
- 00:19:10.574 --> 00:19:13.677
- Always a pleasure.
- 00:19:13.677 --> 00:19:14.678
- Appreciate that
- 00:19:14.678 --> 00:19:16.013
- In a moment from the hope that is growing right now in iran.
- 00:19:16.013 --> 00:19:19.550
- The larger hope that exists everywhere.
- 00:19:19.550 --> 00:19:22.319
- I'll be back to discuss after this short break.
- 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:31.007
- I'll be back to discuss after this short break.
- 00:19:31.007 --> 00:19:36.033
- It was
- 00:19:36.233 --> 00:19:37.134
- 47 years ago when iran had a revolution.
- 00:19:37.134 --> 00:19:39.536
- It replaced a us allied monarchy
- 00:19:39.536 --> 00:19:41.972
- With an anti-american, anti-semitic islamic regime.
- 00:19:41.972 --> 00:19:46.043
- Before the islamic revolution, iran was a modern,
- 00:19:46.043 --> 00:19:48.612
- Thriving society. its cities were vibrant.
- 00:19:48.612 --> 00:19:51.048
- It was a hub of art education and open commerce.
- 00:19:51.048 --> 00:19:54.184
- The islamic revolution.
- 00:19:54.685 --> 00:19:56.186
- Let's shatter that reality.
- 00:19:56.186 --> 00:19:57.788
- Evil leaders replaced liberty with repression.
- 00:19:57.788 --> 00:20:00.190
- They silenced all dissent
- 00:20:00.190 --> 00:20:02.159
- And the repercussions will have been tragic
- 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:04.094
- For the citizens of iran.
- 00:20:04.094 --> 00:20:05.696
- The country is suffering from a severe water shortage.
- 00:20:05.696 --> 00:20:09.033
- Many iranians believe that a water mafia linked to
- 00:20:09.033 --> 00:20:11.802
- The islamic regime is diverting resources to their own pet
- 00:20:11.802 --> 00:20:15.172
- Projects, while entire villages are left to die of thirst.
- 00:20:15.172 --> 00:20:19.410
- You know, here in america,
- 00:20:19.977 --> 00:20:20.844
- The inflation rates of more than 3%,
- 00:20:20.844 --> 00:20:22.913
- They can influence our elections.
- 00:20:22.913 --> 00:20:25.049
- Well, compare that to iran's inflation rates,
- 00:20:25.049 --> 00:20:27.217
- Which are among the world's highest inflation.
- 00:20:27.217 --> 00:20:29.586
- And iran is now at more than 50% across the board,
- 00:20:29.586 --> 00:20:32.956
- Specifically 70% inflation for food.
- 00:20:32.956 --> 00:20:36.327
- Well, in spite of these dire circumstances,
- 00:20:36.327 --> 00:20:38.729
- I have hope for the future
- 00:20:38.729 --> 00:20:40.798
- Because i can see evidence that god is moving.
- 00:20:40.798 --> 00:20:43.267
- We are living in a season where it seems like
- 00:20:43.267 --> 00:20:45.669
- We see outcomes that just can't be achieved,
- 00:20:45.669 --> 00:20:47.671
- Apart from god's involvement, where we would only have,
- 00:20:47.671 --> 00:20:50.207
- Only god could have done that is our response.
- 00:20:50.207 --> 00:20:53.577
- We rejoice for the miracle we've seen take place in israel,
- 00:20:53.577 --> 00:20:56.180
- In the middle east.
- 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:57.181
- It's a miracle of biblical proportions.
- 00:20:57.181 --> 00:20:59.650
- I want to invite you
- 00:20:59.650 --> 00:21:00.884
- In this season to join me in praying for the iranian people,
- 00:21:00.884 --> 00:21:03.854
- That god will direct them
- 00:21:03.854 --> 00:21:05.222
- Towards a future that's filled with peace and liberty
- 00:21:05.222 --> 00:21:08.258
- That can only come from him.
- 00:21:08.258 --> 00:21:10.027
- If we'll do that, i assure you there's reasons for hope.
- 00:21:10.027 --> 00:21:13.731
- We'll be right back with your emails.
- 00:21:13.731 --> 00:21:22.005
- We'll be right back with your emails.
- 00:21:22.005 --> 00:21:27.043
- Well, thank you for spending
- 00:21:27.643 --> 00:21:28.911
- A few minutes of your day with us.
- 00:21:28.911 --> 00:21:30.913
- If you ever miss a live episode, just a reminder.
- 00:21:30.913 --> 00:21:32.882
- You can always go to aj now, dot com.
- 00:21:32.882 --> 00:21:34.984
- There's a full archive there of all the programs.
- 00:21:34.984 --> 00:21:37.720
- You can watch them at your leisure.
- 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.355
- They're easy to share with a friend.
- 00:21:39.355 --> 00:21:41.290
- The more the merrier.
- 00:21:41.290 --> 00:21:42.592
- Thanks for your emails, ivan from florida wrote in.
- 00:21:42.592 --> 00:21:45.762
- I'm writing to you because my parents have become
- 00:21:45.762 --> 00:21:47.730
- Dedicated followers
- 00:21:47.730 --> 00:21:48.965
- Of your sunday broadcast from their home in florida.
- 00:21:48.965 --> 00:21:51.968
- I'm grateful for the impact your teaching has on them, but
- 00:21:51.968 --> 00:21:54.637
- I'm concerned because they lack of physical church community.
- 00:21:54.637 --> 00:21:58.408
- Whenever i suggest the importance of attending
- 00:21:58.408 --> 00:22:00.376
- And serving in a local congregation,
- 00:22:00.376 --> 00:22:02.311
- It leads to tension and excuses.
- 00:22:02.311 --> 00:22:04.547
- Since they're physically healthy and able to go, i'm struggling
- 00:22:04.547 --> 00:22:07.116
- With how to help them take that next step.
- 00:22:07.116 --> 00:22:09.419
- Could you share your thoughts on the necessity
- 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:11.421
- Of the local church,
- 00:22:11.421 --> 00:22:12.355
- And perhaps some biblical encouragement
- 00:22:12.355 --> 00:22:14.056
- I could pass along to them?
- 00:22:14.056 --> 00:22:16.292
- Well, ivan, i think i'm available.
- 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.528
- I could visit florida.
- 00:22:18.528 --> 00:22:19.929
- I'll join them for a little local church now.
- 00:22:19.929 --> 00:22:22.398
- In reality, we all need a community
- 00:22:22.398 --> 00:22:24.200
- Of believers around us.
- 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.735
- If there's not a church readily available that tells the truth.
- 00:22:25.735 --> 00:22:29.071
- Invite some friends into your home.
- 00:22:29.071 --> 00:22:30.339
- Some other couples. we can't make it.
- 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:32.442
- We won't grow and mature and maintain
- 00:22:32.442 --> 00:22:34.243
- Our perspective by ourselves.
- 00:22:34.243 --> 00:22:36.279
- Local community is critical.
- 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:38.181
- We just have to find a group of
- 00:22:38.181 --> 00:22:39.348
- Like minded people to support us.
- 00:22:39.348 --> 00:22:41.517
- I think we can learn a lot from digital
- 00:22:41.517 --> 00:22:44.487
- Television and messages we can share,
- 00:22:44.487 --> 00:22:46.556
- But we need real people to keep us along on the journey.
- 00:22:46.556 --> 00:22:50.026
- Thank you for your time today.
- 00:22:50.026 --> 00:22:52.228
- I'm alan jackson and you have a wonderful evening.
- 00:22:52.228 --> 00:22:52.228