Mahmoud Moradkhani, the nephew of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called for the “swift toppling of the regime in Iran,” but also criticized some opposition parties as “ineffective.”

During a press interview in Paris, which was attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Moradkhani strongly criticized Khamenei, saying that he is “devoid of religious and civil legitimacy and is incompetent in religious sciences.”

Moradkhani did not hesitate to describe Khamenei as “the butcher of the people” and the “most despised” figure among Iranians.

Iran’s regime is established on religious and ideological beliefs, according to Moradkhani. This makes it very difficult for reform to prevail.

“There is no hope for reforming the regime from within. Therefore, there is no alternative to overthrowing it,” explained Moradkhani.

Moreover, Khamenei wants to make it clear to everyone that violence “is the source of the system.”

“Khamenei cannot take a single step back, so his plan is to resort to permanent repression,” clarified Moradkhani, adding that this has “left people with no alternative to defending themselves but resistance.”

In parallel with his criticism of the regime, Moradkhani described the Iranian opposition as “ineffective at home and on the ground.”

Moradkhani believed that the problem lies in the absence of a vision regarding “the stage that could follow the fall of the regime.”

The “Revolution” that Iran has known for four months now, according to Moradkhani, “did not produce figures with a clear program and distinct personalities.”

As for who would succeed Khamenei, Moradkhani believes that there is no replacement to the current leader from outside the circle close to him and surrounding him.

It is highly likely that the successor to Khamenei will be his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who “enjoys the support of the Revolutionary Guards,” revealed Moradkhani.

He emphasized that the Revolutionary Guards is an active and influential force in choosing Khamenei’s successor.

Moradkhani’s sister, Farideh Moradkhani, was recently arrested after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime.”

Moradkhani’s mother and Khamenei’s sister, Badri Hosseini Khamenei, sent a letter in late December declaring that she had washed her hands of her brother, whom she described as a “tyrant.”