On Wednesday, a press conference was held by the United States Representative office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to discuss the rising threat from the Iranian regime and any policy options that can be used to counter this threat. Many renowned American experts and politicians attended the conference and gave their thoughts on the issue.

The Deputy Director of the NCRI at the US Representative office in Washington, DC, Alireza Jafarzadeh began the discussion stating that the Iranian regime’s drone program is being run by several the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) front companies. The companies are practically running a smuggling ring as they are helping the IRGC to circumvent sanctions by producing the drone parts and accessories on behalf of the IRGC.

Jafarzadeh stated, “We need to deal with firmness to this regime. It should be granted no sanctions relief. It is imperative to reinstate all UNSC resolutions.”

Former U.S. Senator, Joe Lieberman highlighted that the U.S. is under a continuing threat of terrorism from the regime, and now is the time to put more constraints on them to prevent this threat from becoming anything more.

About the recent talks to revisit the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formerly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he stated, “We’re on the wrong course in the US in our efforts in Vienna to re-enter the JCPOA. They are well-intentioned but they don’t meet the realities of what Iran is doing in Vienna or the world. They are highly risky.”

He further acknowledged that the regime has consistently violated many of the important terms of the JCPOA, included the limits on enriching uranium.

The former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Robert Joseph warned that while the Biden Administration is willing to re-enter the JCPOA at a high cost, this will only further give the regime more resources to fund their nuclear program and spread terrorism across the region.

He said, “The correct decision, both politically and morally, is to support the people of Iran in their struggle for freedom and democracy.”

David Shedd, the former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency warned that the regime is not contained by their borders, stating that they will ‘go after anybody that expresses dissent’ whether that be domestically or abroad.

Matthew Kroening, an American political scientist, and national security strategist said, “Regarding the nuclear challenge, first, Iran is close to having nuclear weapons capability. Right now, experts have estimated that Iran’s breakout time has shrunk to three weeks. This is the worst position we’ve been in.”

He warned that if the regime acquires functional nuclear weapons, they will no doubt engage in more aggressive policies across the Middle East and possibly trigger a nuclear war.

The JINSA Director of Foreign Policy, Jonathan Ruhe discussed the severity of the regime’s use of drones. He stated that the use of drones is ‘becoming central to Iran’s projection of power in the region’ and that the previous attack on the Saudi Abqaiq facility, while the outcome could have been much worse, proved their drone capability.

Ruhe said, “We need genuine sanctions enforcement on Iran’s capabilities to procure the material for these activities.”