Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt said Saturday that negotiations with Iran may be continuing, but he believes the country’s current leadership will not remain in power and suggested the United States could be engaged in broader strategic planning involving Iranian opposition groups and regional partners.
Appearing on Newsmax TV’s "The Count," Holt was asked about comments from an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader who told CNN that nuclear negotiations were at a deadlock and that the next move rested with President Donald Trump.
Holt dismissed the notion that Iran’s ruling clerical establishment would emerge from the standoff intact.
"I think he thinks that the ayatollahs, the mullahs and the extreme faction of the Shias are going to somehow emerge and still be in power," Holt said. "And nothing could be further from the truth."
Holt described Iran’s leaders as "revenge-minded terrorists" and argued that their continued rule was not a viable outcome. He said negotiations were underway but suggested that other efforts could be taking place behind the scenes.
"What I suspect is also going on is a lot of military planning on the U.S. part," Holt said.
He said such planning could involve coordination with what he described as the "Free Iranian resistance movement" as well as Iran’s regular military, known as the Artesh, distinguishing it from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.
Holt said coordination among those groups and U.S. partners would be necessary before any major action could occur.
"Once they all get aligned and we’re aligned with our partners, including Pakistan and Turkey, well, then we’re going to see a revolution go," he said.
The retired general predicted that Iran’s current system of government was approaching its end, saying there was "no part of this" that would conclude with an ayatollah remaining in charge of the country.
"This thing is going to go to its final chapter," Holt said.
He added that the timing of any such developments would depend on careful coordination and suggested that details would not be publicly disclosed.
"The timing and the synchronization has to be perfect," Holt said. "And President Trump’s not about to share that with the world."
The Trump administration has pursued negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program while warning that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
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