Pahlavi Adviser Says U.S. Missed Chance to Help Iranians Topple Regime

Cameron Khansarinia, chief of staff and adviser to Reza Pahlavi, says the United States and Europe missed an opportunity to help Iranians free their country. In an interview with Channel 12, he voiced sharp disappointment with the emerging deal around Iran and said many Iranians feel abandoned by the West.

Khansarinia said regime forces were much weaker than outsiders realized. According to him, internal reports showed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other repression organs were close to collapse. "They did not believe their luck when the U.S. stopped the military move," he said, referring to an operation halted in early April. He added that Iranians were frustrated that Washington did not go all the way while the regime was weakening.

He also attacked European governments, including Germany, Britain, and France, saying Pahlavi had spoken with them but that Europe disappeared when the issue became Iran. Khansarinia said the Europeans should have insisted on the release of political prisoners, an end to executions, and prevention of internet shutdowns, but "did not fulfill their role." He argued that Iran’s economy is now worse than before the protest movement began, and that any economic relief from a deal would benefit only the Revolutionary Guards.

Looking ahead, Khansarinia said opposition attention is turning to July 4, the day of the funeral of Mojtaba Khamenei’s father. "Mojtaba’s test will be during the funeral days," he said, adding that the opposition expects him to lead the procession and reveal his strength. Despite the anger over the expected Trump deal, he said it is only a matter of time before Iranians return to the streets.