"We need no foreign element to replace the regime for us," Khorshidi
said. "We can and must do it alone."
Khorshidi, who spent five years in jail for criticizing the mullahs,
said academics, clerics and parliamentarians have already been bracing for
the collapse of the regime. He said these Iranians want to end the
corruption in the current government and establish a secular regime friendly
to others in the Middle East, including Israel.
"Iran has powers that can stun and even defeat the government,"
Khorshidi said. "There are other elements that wish to separate state and
religion. They see that as long as Islamic rule forcibly clings to the
government, religion is connected with all that is bad, which harms [the
religion]. These elements include religious persons, university lecturers,
judges, and members of parliament."
In his lecture, Khorshidi described life in Iran today. He said the
regime has taken over all sectors of the country and required loyalty tests
for jobs and education.
"Fifty percent of the university openings are reserved for people
associated with the government, and in order to be accepted in the remaining
places, the candidates must undergo tests that are of political character
and not at all related to the study material," Khorshidi said.
Khorshidi said the regime has reserved its greatest fear for the huge
youth population in Iran. So far, he said, the military and security forces
have been effective in quelling unrest amid rampant inflation, reported at
more
than 50 percent per year.
"Due to the impossible financial state of affairs in Iran, along with
the youths' desires, the only thing that preserves the regime is the
military," Khorshidi said. "But how long can this situation continue?"
