The Islamic Republic is nearing collapse following the death of longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Safavi, a member of Iran's parliament in exile and the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said Sunday on Newsmax.
"To be frank, irrespective of who they choose, this regime is on its last legs," Safavi said on Newsmax's "Wake Up America Weekend." "Whoever replaces Khamenei will not be able to hold this regime together. Khamenei was in power for 39 years, and he was the linchpin of the regime."
Safavi pointed to growing unrest inside Iran and activity by opposition groups as signs that the government is weakening.
He said resistance units associated with the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, or MEK, have carried out dozens of operations targeting Iranian security forces.
"The MEK resistance units, the ones who actually attacked Khamenei's compound five days before the U.S. did, have carried out 40 operations in 15 different cities attacking IRGC bases, the paramilitary Basij, and other suppressive centers," Safavi said.
"Our movement is actively working on the ground to expedite the process of the regime's overthrow," he added.
The opposition movement is operating independently, Safavi said, and has "not asked for any military support, nor have we asked for any financial assistance."
He added that opposition leader Maryam Rajavi recently announced the formation of a provisional government that would oversee a transition and hold free and fair elections within six months of the regime's overthrow.
Meanwhile, retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, also on Sunday's show, said hardliners in Tehran are attempting to project strength during the leadership transition.
Kimmitt, also a former assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs under former President George W. Bush, said recent warnings from senior Iranian officials reflect efforts by regime hardliners to signal continuity.
He also responded to comments by Iranian official Ali Larijani, who criticized President Donald Trump while issuing warnings tied to the leadership transition in Tehran.
"Obviously, Ali Larijani is one of the hardliners," Kimmitt said. "It's somewhat of a sign of resistance. He's trying to convince everybody that they remain strong with the consideration of the new supreme leader being selected. They're also trying to send a message of regime continuity."
Kimmitt said attention is now focused on who could take control of the Islamic Republic as the Assembly of Experts moves toward selecting a successor.
Some analysts believe Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, could pursue a more ideological approach if he assumes power, a prospect that has raised concerns about further instability in the region.
"Right now, all fingers are pointing to Mojtaba Khamenei, who is the son, who is a divisive figure inside the country, liked by the hardliners, not liked by the clerics," Kimmitt said.
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