Khamenei: This Regime Is On The Verge Of Collapse, and It Is Being Held Up By External War” Ghipour

Dr. Majid Sande Ghipour, political director at the Organization of Iranian-American Communities, has claimed that Iran’s government is approaching collapse, arguing that conditions inside the country reveal growing opposition despite the authorities’ efforts to maintain control.

According to a video published by Fox News on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Ghipour made the remarks during a live discussion about the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the possibility of renewed military confrontation.

During the broadcast, the host referred to an Axios report indicating that Israel’s Chief of Staff had been briefed by American officials on preparations for a possible return to major combat operations against Iran within three weeks. The programme also discussed diplomatic developments, including a reported conversation in which Iran’s president told Russia’s president that both countries were reviewing new proposals through mediators.

Responding to the developments, Ghipour argued that the Iranian authorities were relying on restrictions and security measures to suppress opposition. He claimed that the government had introduced a law preventing Iranian citizens from speaking to media organisations or participating in interviews, describing the alleged restrictions as evidence of the pressure facing the population.

Ghipour maintained that public sentiment inside Iran suggested the government was vulnerable, although he argued that the continuing external conflict had helped the authorities preserve their position. In his assessment, the confrontation with foreign powers had created a distraction from domestic grievances and provided the leadership with an opportunity to present itself as defending the country.

He also criticised what he described as diplomatic support for Tehran from some Western countries, particularly in Europe. According to Ghipour, the continued presence of European diplomatic missions in Iran and what he characterised as an inadequate response to reported executions had contributed to the government’s ability to withstand international pressure.

He called on foreign governments to take a stronger position on human rights concerns and hold Iranian officials accountable for alleged abuses. His remarks reflected his broader argument that international engagement with Tehran should not come at the expense of the Iranian population’s demand for political change.

Ghipour further urged the international community to support Iranians seeking to establish a democratic republic. He argued that the people’s struggle for political freedom should receive greater international backing, rather than being overshadowed by diplomatic negotiations or the possibility of renewed military action.

Earlier in the interview, Ghipour referred to comments reportedly made by Tehran’s security chief, who had described the current period as a time of war. He also alleged that the official had encouraged merchants to cooperate with security forces in identifying, arresting and prosecuting protesters, using economic pressure on business owners to secure their cooperation.

The discussion also touched on a report concerning an Iranian groom who was reportedly executed hours after a wedding ceremony conducted by telephone while he was in prison. The circumstances surrounding the case were presented during the broadcast as part of the wider debate about executions and the treatment of detainees in Iran.

Ghipour described the reported execution as one example of what he considers a broader campaign of violence by the authorities against the Iranian population. He characterised those affected as casualties of a conflict that, in his view, the government had imposed on its own citizens.

His comments came amid continuing uncertainty over the direction of US-Iran relations, with reports of possible military preparations emerging alongside claims of diplomatic efforts to examine new proposals. The combination of international tensions and domestic political grievances remains central to the debate over Iran’s future.

While Ghipour expressed confidence that the Iranian government was nearing collapse, his assessment represents his political view rather than a confirmed outcome. The country’s future will depend on developments inside Iran, the response of its authorities, and the course of diplomatic and military relations with other nations.