The Iranian regime remains one of the most controversial authoritarian regimes in the world, not only due to its provocative foreign policies but also because of the nature of its internal political system. While this regime justifies its actions by claiming legitimacy under the premise of an "Islamic Republic" that combines religion and state, the majority of the Iranian people, comprising various components, classes, and segments, demand a radical change towards a democratic system that guarantees freedoms and achieves social justice. This, in itself, undermines what the ruling Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist claims as its legitimacy. The question based on the people's demands rejecting the ruling regime is: What is the better option? Is it the survival of the current regime that seems to be supported by the tide of appeasement and compromise from the West, or standing in solidarity with the Iranian people and their resistance in their efforts and struggle towards transforming Iran into a democracy?

Since the establishment of what they called the Islamic Republic in Iran in 1979, the Iranian regime has been a subject of internal and external controversy due to its repressive domestic policies, its strained relations with its Arab environment and the international community, and its increasing regional influence. With the rise of popular protests and calls for change by the Iranian people and their resistance, the best option emerges: the overthrow of the mullah regime and the establishment of a true non-nuclear democratic state in Iran.

Negatives of the Survival of the Authoritarian Regime in Iran
- Continuing Government Killings: Under the guise of executions, the regime suppresses freedoms and persecutes activists, opponents, and journalists, creating an environment of fear, terror, and restriction of basic freedoms, in addition to the persecution of Iranian citizens based on ethnic, religious, and sectarian grounds.
- Economic Crises:Due to corruption, support for terrorism, mismanagement, and sanctions, the Iranian economy suffers from inflation, high prices, unemployment, and social deterioration, increasing the anger of the people, especially in light of the culture of tyranny and repression practiced by the regime since its inception.
- International Isolation: The regime's controversial foreign policies increase Iran's isolation and exacerbate internal crises that the Iranian citizen pays the price for.

The Possibility of a Democratic Iran and Its Outcomes
- Respect for Human Rights: A democratic system ensures freedom of expression, equality, and the election of rulers through transparent ballots.
- Economic Improvement: Democratic openness in Iran and the eradication of corruption could end sanctions and attract investments, revitalizing the economy.
- Improved International Image: With the establishment of a democratic system that separates religion from authority in a non-nuclear Iran, respecting equality and fulfilling the rights of all components of the populace, and adhering to international treaties and norms as outlined in the ten-point plan of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the democratic Iran of tomorrow could rebuild its relationships with the world more effectively and reduce regional and global tensions.

The Iranian Resistance and the Stance on the Iranian Nuclear Program 
The Iranian nuclear program represents one of the most controversial files in international politics, as Tehran seeks to develop its nuclear program, claiming it is peaceful, while in reality, it aims to acquire nuclear weapons. In light of this, the "Iranian Resistance," represented by opposition groups such as the People's Mujahedin Organization (MEK), emerges as a force that criticizes the regime and calls for halting its nuclear program. What is the stance of the Iranian resistance on this program? It has played a significant role in mobilizing the international community to confront the nuclear policies of the Iranian mullahs.

The Iranian Nuclear Program Between Mullah Claims and International Positions
The mullahs in Iran claim their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes such as power generation and medical uses, and they claim to adhere to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have revealed suspicious activities, including high-level uranium enrichment (up to 60 percent). This pushes their nuclear program beyond the scope of peaceful purposes, heightening concerns within the international community. The U.S. and the West call for sanctions, viewing the program as concealing military objectives, and Israel considers the nuclear program an existential threat, threatening military options to strike it, while Russia and China show greater support for the Iranian regime and reject stricter sanctions.

The Resistance's Position on the Nuclear Program
The Iranian resistance, particularly the People's Mujahedin Organization, takes a strong opposing stance against the Iranian nuclear program, as it imposes a heavy cost on the Iranian people in terms of poverty, deprivation, unemployment, and severe drops in living standards. It has also pointed out that the program is fundamentally not peaceful, citing internal leaks indicating that the regime is hiding military research. The resistance believes that nuclear sanctions exacerbate.

Sami Khater