(NewsNation) — Hardcore members of Iran’s military will never abandon their extreme beliefs or hatred of America, no matter how severe the U.S. military may strike the country, a former prisoner of the regime says.

Kian Tajbakhsh, an Iranian-American scholar who spent several years imprisoned or under house arrest in Iran, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, are willing to lay down their lives to keep the current theocracy in place.

“If you know how the Islamic Republic works, you will know that they are in for the long haul. They will fight to the death,” Tajbakhsh said during a Wednesday “On Balance” appearance.

The Columbia University urban planner, who spent time in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, said he observed the mindset of IRGC officers firsthand during interrogations.

“I had the privilege of being up front with a lot of these senior officers and lower officers,” he said. “Let me tell you, when I came out of that experience, I had lost any doubt in my mind that … they are true believers, they are fanatics.

“You have to understand. They live in a world in which they are deeply committed to the principles of the Islamic Republic. They are deeply committed to an anti-American vision of the world.”

Tajbakhsh joined an “On Balance” panel of experts to discuss the potential pitfalls of a U.S. intervention in Iran, where economic protests have roiled the country since late last month. President Trump has suggested the U.S. will come to the aid of demonstrators as they face a deadly government crackdown. It’s not known to what extent his administration would commit military resources.

Retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove stressed that a surgical military strike would not automatically change the regime.

“I just want to temper everybody’s expectations.,” the former NATO commander said. “Trying to change the mind of the senior leaders to stop doing what they think is existential to their control of the country by a swift strike is going to be pretty tough.”

He said at best, American forces can find the “right target set” that will compel compliance from Iran’s leaders.