Freedom Under Fire: Iran’s Uprising and America’s Stand for Strength

The Next Steps Show with Peter Vazquez
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Peter Vazquez:
Mira a la izquierda, mira a la derecha—what do you see? In a world that changes daily, what will you do next? Welcome to The Next Steps Show, a starting point for discussion y un poco de dirección.

Segment 1 — Iran, Sanctions, and the Fight for Freedom

Peter Vazquez:
Joining us is Shaheen Gobadi, U.S.-educated nuclear engineer and senior member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s parliament-in-exile. Shaheen, remind listeners what the NCRI is.

Shaheen Gobadi (NCRI):
The NCRI is a coalition of Iranian democratic opposition movements, opposed to both the former Shah’s dictatorship and the current theocracy. We aim to establish a democratic republic with separation of religion and state, full gender equality, freedom for all Iranians, the ballot box as the ultimate authority, and a non-nuclear Iran at peace with the world.
The NCRI has elected Maryam Rajavi as President-elect for a transitional period of up to six months to prepare free and fair elections. Her 10-point plan has been endorsed by thousands of legislators worldwide and more than 110 former world leaders. A key member of the NCRI is the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), a nationwide network organizing for democratic change.

Peter:
Where are you joining us from?

Gobadi:
Paris. The NCRI maintains offices in Washington, London, Germany, Italy, and support associations across the world, including the United States.

Peter:
You warned of a wave of executions in Iran.

Gobadi:
The regime is the world’s per-capita execution leader. As the regime weakens, it escalates repression to deter another uprising. In the first nine months of 2025 there were over 1,200 recorded executions, exceeding 2024 by far; 204 in September alone, the highest monthly total in 36 years, including six women. Seventeen political prisoners tied to the MEK are currently on death row solely for affiliation, ages roughly 22 to late-60s. Two prisoners—after three years of torture—were hanged on July 27. The world must speak out.

Peter:
Explain “snapback” sanctions.

Gobadi:
In 2015 the JCPOA suspended six UN Security Council resolutions and unfroze tens of billions for the regime, on the hope it would curb nuclear ambitions. We warned that money would fund terrorism, missiles, and the nuclear program—not the Iranian people. The U.S. exited the deal in 2018. Europe clung to it until recently but, as reality set in, reactivated sanctions; those measures are now beginning to bite and cut the regime’s financial lifeline.

Peter:
Is Iran’s nuclear program still a threat?

Gobadi:
Yes. The regime’s pillars are repression at home, regional chaos via proxies (Hezbollah, Houthis), and the drive for a nuclear weapon as regime insurance. Our resistance network made 133 revelations exposing secret sites, research centers, and key personnel—Natanz, Arak, and Fordow among them—delaying the bomb. The Supreme Leader remains committed to weaponization. As the regime weakens, it will not voluntarily abandon that path.

Peter:
How close is the democratic movement to governing?

Gobadi:
Closer than ever. Youth across Iran join the resistance despite grave risk. We seek no foreign troops, money, or weapons. Change must come by Iranians, for Iranians. Another mass uprising looms, and the regime knows organized resistance will power it.

Peter:
You are a practicing Muslim. How does that align with a secular republic?

Gobadi:
We separate religion and state. Islam, properly understood, is tolerance, compassion, and coexistence. There should be no official religion in a future Iran; all faiths must be free. Muslims have been the primary victims of Islamist extremism. Our model rejects theocracy, elevates equal rights, and places civil law above religious rule.

Gobadi:
Find more at ncr-iran.org.

Segment 2 — Policy, Elections, and American Renewal

Peter Vazquez:
Our next guest is Christopher Arps—veteran political strategist, Project 21 member, managing partner at Red Tail Strategies, co-founder of MovingOnUp.org, president of Americans for Citizen Voting, and co-host of The Tim Jones and Chris Arps Show on NewsTalk STL.

Christopher Arps:
I am a lifelong political operative who also hosts radio. I appear on Newsmax and work to advance conservatism rooted in faith, family, and hard work.

Peter:
Many are told that what is in front of them is all they have.

Arps:
I was taught that being Black is not an excuse to quit. In America you can achieve if you work harder and trust God. Roadblocks exist, but no one can block what the Lord has for you.

Peter:
You praised the Abraham Accords-style diplomacy and President Trump’s leverage.

Arps:
The breakthrough came from nontraditional diplomacy backed by credible strength against Iran’s capabilities, compelling parties to the table. It was not recycled policy; it was deal-making plus deterrence.

Peter:
On New York City politics and a socialist-leaning mayoral push?

Arps:
Electing an avowed socialist or worse would energize the far left, harm public safety, and signal weakness to our adversaries. Voters should remember where De Blasio-style governance led and choose order over ideology.

Peter:
Why Americans for Citizen Voting?

Arps:
Because some jurisdictions allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. New York City tried; D.C. allows it after 30 days’ residency, even for foreign diplomats. We advocate a simple standard: citizens vote. Immigration is welcome; citizenship is the commitment that earns the franchise.

Peter:
On the NDAA and politicization of the military?

Arps:
The military’s mission is to deter and win wars—not social engineering. DEI mandates, abortion travel funding, and climate theater distract from readiness. Bipartisanship is desirable, but not at the price of readiness and core purpose.

Peter Vazquez (closing):
Faith, facts, and freedom—be a leader, not an echo. God bless the United States of America.