1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 1: Life audio Heylana, thanks for joining me. Thank you very 2 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: much for having me. 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 2: Lana Silp, President and CEO of Transform Iran, Transform Iran 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,319 Speaker 2: dot com as the website. Lana, what were your first 5 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 2: thoughts when you learned about the initial attack on Iran 6 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 2: joint operation from the US and Israel and how did 7 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 2: your emotions change when you learned that the Supreme Leader 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 2: had been killed. 9 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, these are the global questions, aren't they. I think 10 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 3: the context is really important for the emotional response because 11 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 3: we've had two months of really brutal crackdowns in the 12 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,479 Speaker 3: country and a lot of them, a lot of the 13 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 3: protests inspired by encouragement by the Crown Prince, but also, 14 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 3: of course some of what President trub was saying in 15 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 3: terms of that there would be consequences if the protests 16 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 3: protesters were to. 17 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: Be hurt, and that you know, America was behind them. 18 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 3: It gave people that extra bit of courage to really 19 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 3: come together. And there was quite a lot of expectation 20 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 3: in the first week or two that there would be 21 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 3: Western intervention and help, particularly with coming off the back 22 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 3: of what happened in Venezuela, and there was a sense of, oh, this. 23 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: Is what the Americans are capable of that. We're very excited. 24 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 3: So you know, that has then led to about a 25 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 3: month of severe struggle for the Uradian people, with tens 26 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 3: of thousands of people being killed, tens of thousands more 27 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 3: incarcerated tortured. 28 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: I mean, I've heard so many first. 29 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 3: Hand accounts, hand accounts of people in connected to our 30 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 3: own organization and the kind of brutality the experienced in prison. 31 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 3: So the sort of sentiment had become one of losing hope. 32 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 3: One of the messages I got from inside was one 33 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 3: of our leaders crying, saying it's clear. 34 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 1: To us now that no help is coming from America. 35 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: So that's the context then. 36 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 3: So then when you get the news that there's been 37 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 3: an attack, this sort of euphoric had this really happened, 38 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 3: Oh my goodness kind of response. Of course, all the 39 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 3: pieces were in playing. We figured maybe something was up. 40 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: You know, all these military arsenal being moved to the area. 41 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 3: At the beginning, you wonder if it was power play, 42 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 3: but there was so much that was being invested there 43 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 3: that we did have a sense there's more. 44 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: Surely something is going to happen here. So that was 45 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: the initial reaction. Of course, then Immediately mixed in with 46 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: that is your concern for life. You know, people are 47 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: gonna die. No one wants people to die. 48 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 3: What I've been reminding our listeners, our audiences has been 49 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 3: from the Iranian perspective. People were dying anyway, and they 50 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 3: were dying in much greater numbers. So as devastating as 51 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 3: it is for even one person to lose their life, 52 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 3: the reality in Iran was thousands and thousands more were 53 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 3: gonna lose our lives at the hands of this regime. 54 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 3: And the people themselves fully understand this. So there is 55 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:02,519 Speaker 3: a sense of we're doing what needs to be done. 56 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 3: And when Flamena was taken out, I have to say, 57 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 3: for several hours I didn't believe it, you know, just 58 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 3: really have we achieved this? And then my sort of 59 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:16,919 Speaker 3: Christian response kicked in for me. There was a sense of, 60 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 3: you know, every life matters, every life is important for God. 61 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 3: And then Word of God tells us that God doesn't 62 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 3: even delight in the loss of any life, even the wicked, 63 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 3: So I do there's a caution here for us as 64 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 3: a ministry that we don't sort of dance on grades, 65 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 3: you know, we don't want that kind of response. 66 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: It is a tragedy on every level. 67 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 3: He was a wicked man who did unthinkable, wicked things, 68 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 3: and there is definitely a relief that he is no 69 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 3: longer able to continue to cause suffering. But it's sad 70 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 3: that he never repented, that he never corrected what he 71 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 3: had done, and that's he's just going to have to 72 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 3: face the eternal consequences of the way he lived his life. 73 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 3: But from a sort of political point of view and 74 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,839 Speaker 3: in terms of the regime, then it is it's really 75 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 3: a good thing that. 76 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: He is no longer leading Iran. 77 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 2: For those who don't follow world events, what role did 78 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 2: the IOLA play in the Middle East turmoil and the 79 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: terrorism throughout the region? I mean, was he kind of 80 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 2: the main guy? 81 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely? So he is the main guy in Iran and 82 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: the supreme leader. That role is a lifetime role. 83 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 3: We've only ever had two since Iran became an Islamic republic. 84 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 3: It's not electable. It's a very inside kind of process 85 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 3: that puts him in power, and he would ordinarily have 86 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 3: named his successor. It was crazy to many people that 87 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 3: he hadn't done that. So and Iran then, as the 88 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 3: next step, is the power behind almost all of the 89 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 3: suffering that we see in the Middle East. You know, 90 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 3: the people often say it's the number one state sponsor 91 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 3: of terrorism. So Hamas and all of that we saw 92 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 3: with October seven and the fighting with Israel. 93 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 1: Aahamas is funded largely by Iran. 94 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 3: A lot of their strategies and training come from Iran, 95 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 3: a lot of their weapons come from Iran. Same for 96 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 3: Hezbola bel Huti, the Zamin Jihadis. I mean, the list 97 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 3: just goes on, and it's not just in the Middleast. 98 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 3: Iran has been very careful and strategic to stretch wider 99 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 3: into North Africa, South America. Allegiances are far and wide, 100 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 3: and that's part of the benefits, if you can call 101 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:27,160 Speaker 3: it that of having someone in charge that is there 102 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 3: for life, that they can really play a long game 103 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,159 Speaker 3: and plan things and put things in motion years and 104 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 3: years in advance with the confidence that they will be 105 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 3: around to see them through. 106 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,280 Speaker 2: What is your confidence level that the next leader of 107 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 2: Iran will be better for the people, will be better 108 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 2: for the region, will be better for freedom, that the 109 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 2: future is actually brighter. What needs to happen there? 110 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 3: A leader that is elected in the same processes that 111 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 3: Hamine was elected will not necessarily be any better, and 112 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 3: our work is definitely not done. We had an interesting 113 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 3: run of events with Hezbolahla year or where they kept 114 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 3: re electing a new person in charge and then these 115 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 3: rays kept taking them out, And we're kind of in 116 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,279 Speaker 3: that territory now where we have to make sure that 117 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 3: we don't just leave a job half done. 118 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 1: There are hundreds of thousands. 119 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 3: I mean, it's no one knows for sure that there's 120 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 3: about one hundred and ninety thousand RGC agents in Iran, 121 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 3: and it's very very mysterious exactly how many bassigi we have. 122 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 3: It could be anything from fifty thousand to five million, 123 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 3: and some of the numbers that are being claimed, but 124 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 3: I think you could say, like no, hundreds of thousands 125 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 3: of people that work within Iran sort of military judicial, 126 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 3: sort of central powerhouse that are actioning all of the 127 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 3: atrocities that are happening at the command of the Supreme Leader. 128 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: But only the very cream at the top progamly be 129 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: the ones that are ideological in this mission, that are 130 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 1: really in the know with. 131 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 3: The internal strategies and the long games are being played 132 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 3: in other countries. So if we take enough off the top, 133 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 3: I think We're going to be left with largely people 134 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 3: who were there for mercery reasons, who are corrupt you 135 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 3: just want to have power, or who you know, want 136 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:10,239 Speaker 3: to get rich, and those are pieces that are people 137 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 3: that are easier to swell. 138 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 2: Okay, So going back to the initial question, though, I mean, 139 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 2: how confident are we that that's the next leader? 140 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 3: I mean, no, we're not. 141 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 2: We're all wondering that. 142 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 3: Yeah we're okay, yeah, not not the immediate next leader. 143 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 3: I guess that was my long answer to say, we 144 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 3: can't just stop here. The Supreme Leader is going to 145 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 3: get re elected and the new Supreme Meder is not 146 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 3: likely to be any better. We have to get a 147 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 3: few layers further down. 148 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: To get there. We're not far off. 149 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 3: You know, forty seven of the key decision makers have 150 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,559 Speaker 3: been taken out. We were having a meeting this morning 151 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 3: thinking we we think that probably there's eight to ten 152 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 3: other original corps that are left. And then you're coming 153 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 3: on to people that weren't privy to those conversations two 154 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:59,679 Speaker 3: months ago. So immediately, no, I think the next person 155 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 3: in it is not going to be necessarily any better. 156 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 3: But we're on the right trajectory. 157 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 2: Okay, Well, there were thousands and thousands of people on 158 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 2: the streets back in December January. Yes, is that kind 159 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 2: of the best case scenario that the people just take 160 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 2: over and uprise and we get something. 161 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, we actually have a really good, viable alternative Iran, 162 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 3: and we have a slightly different situation to where we've 163 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 3: seen these kinds of Middle Eastern conflicts before, where there 164 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 3: was either a power struggle or not a really clear alternative. 165 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 1: But we have the Crown Prince razapah Abbi. 166 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 3: His dad was exiled in nineteen seventy eight when the 167 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 3: new regime was brought in, and you know, he's in 168 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 3: the sixties now and he will say that he has 169 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 3: spent his whole life preparing for this moment, and the 170 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 3: people of Iran have really rallied behind him. And the 171 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 3: most important thing right now is unity, particularly in the 172 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 3: country like Iran where we have some very important and 173 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 3: not small ethnic minorities that could lead to balganization. You 174 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 3: could get a separate Kurtistan, as rebelogist on, no one 175 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 3: really wants that. But unless there's a force that will 176 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 3: unite everyone behind a leader where they feel that they're 177 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 3: not going to have more of the same, then that's 178 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 3: a great danger. So and Palavi's big message has been 179 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 3: that I'm not after power, I don't need to rule. 180 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 3: I'm going to form a transitionary government that's going to 181 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 3: lead to a referendum where the people can say what 182 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 3: they want. And I think that's our best next step. 183 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 3: So the people in Iran right now, all they can 184 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 3: do is apply force, protest, maybe you know, storm some 185 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:35,839 Speaker 3: government buildings when things change a little bit. 186 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 1: But the one that's going to be able to lead 187 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:39,920 Speaker 1: them well is not internal. That's going to be Palavi. 188 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: I think. 189 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 2: That's the Shaw's son. For those who know their history 190 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 2: in the Shaw of Arian, this is a Shaw's son 191 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 2: that we're talking about. The crown prints how much support, 192 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 2: by the way, does the current regime even have heard 193 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 2: estimates that maybe pops twenty percent of the country supports. 194 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, twenty percent this morning. I would be amazed if 195 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 3: it was twenty percent. I think we're talking ten and 196 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,440 Speaker 3: less really right now. If you think about the number 197 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 3: of people, those who are immediately affiliated with the regime 198 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 3: are going to be less than a million, and a 199 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 3: lot of their own families are anti regime. I listened 200 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:24,599 Speaker 3: to a voice call from the daughter of one of 201 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 3: the iatolas on live TV, crying in despair, saying how 202 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 3: much she hated her father, how much her mother hated 203 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 3: their father, how much they hated what he'd done, and 204 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 3: she she felt she had no way out of it 205 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 3: because she was trapped on the inside of this and 206 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 3: he'd already prepared passports with fake names and suitcases full 207 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:45,199 Speaker 3: of dollars for them to escape, and she was distraught. Actually, 208 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 3: I think she was the daughter of one of the 209 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 3: RGC commanders. But you know, so even there an immediate 210 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 3: families aren't for them. I mean two million, three million tops, 211 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 3: you know it would take you you're going to you 212 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 3: need to get to ten million for it to be 213 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 3: ten percent, So I'd be surprised if it's twenty percent. 214 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:04,680 Speaker 2: Wow. Let's switch to life for a Christian in Iran? 215 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 2: What is life for a Christian in Iran? Like? Can 216 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 2: you worship freely in Iran if you're a believer? 217 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 3: No? We cannot, Okay, No, it's is egal it's illegal 218 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 3: to convert from Islam to any religion, even atheism. If 219 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 3: you've rejected Islam, then you're in trouble. But really, the 220 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 3: ones the government hates the most are the Christians, particularly 221 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 3: because of our the way they lump us in together 222 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 3: with the Jews and call us the Zionists, and of 223 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 3: course they hate Israel and they want to wipe Israel out, 224 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 3: so that association is important for them. And every time 225 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 3: there's any kind of tension with Israel, it points straight 226 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 3: back to Christians and Jews in the country because they 227 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 3: want to know who the traitors are and how Israel. 228 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 3: You know, in jude particularly, Israel conducted some very targeted 229 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 3: assassinations and the blame immediately. 230 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 1: Goes to the Christians and the Jews. 231 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 3: You know, who are the ones that rated to sad, 232 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 3: Who are the ones who had the intelligence? 233 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:56,239 Speaker 1: Who are the dissidents? 234 00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 3: So they're always coming after the Christian Church. But it's 235 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 3: in the letter of the law it is illegal to 236 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 3: convert from Islam and the punishment as execution, so they 237 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 3: don't even have to fabricate anything. They can just legally 238 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 3: execute Christians called conversion, and that goes to the whole gamut, 239 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 3: So owning and distributing Bibles, translating Bibles, participating in Christian meetings, 240 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,680 Speaker 3: talking about anything, anything related to Christian faith is punished. 241 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 2: So our regime change would be incredible news for Christians 242 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 2: in that region. Yeah, yes, yeah, Okay, that's that's what 243 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 2: we're looking for. Yeah, let's transition to what you do 244 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 2: transform o Ran tell us for those who know nothing 245 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,079 Speaker 2: and who know nothing about transformer Ran, what is transformer Rand? 246 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 2: What do you guys do? 247 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: So we're at the core of church planting organization. We 248 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 1: talk about our work in three pillars. 249 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 3: So our vision is that every man, woman and child 250 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 3: in Iran should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel 251 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 3: and free respond to it. Of course, we belie that 252 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 3: the Gospel is life changing, it will be good for them. 253 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 3: So we talk about the love and the power of 254 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 3: Christ penetrating that country because we believe. 255 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: That will be a blessing to our countrymen. 256 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 3: But we do want them to be able to freely choose. 257 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 3: Someone would ask me, was ask me, would it be 258 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 3: okay if Iran was a Christian country and everyone had 259 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 3: to be a Christian? 260 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:16,559 Speaker 2: No. 261 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: I don't want people to. 262 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 3: Be forcibly to Christianity, but I do think if they 263 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 3: experienced Christianity, they're going to want it. So that's the vision, 264 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:28,439 Speaker 3: and now we work in sort of three pillars evangelism, discipleship, 265 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 3: and transformation. So the evangelism part is very important because 266 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 3: it's illegal and they don't easily have access to any 267 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 3: Christian content, and we have to be very creative and 268 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 3: we use a whole range of media from supply, TV 269 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 3: and radio, social media apps, as well as in person 270 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 3: printed literatures, just to make sure that Iranians have hurt 271 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 3: the Gospel. And we have to overcome other barriers to 272 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:53,839 Speaker 3: language barrier barriers, literacy barriers. Farsi is not the main 273 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 3: language in urnest, the formal, the efficient language, but more 274 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 3: than fifty percent of Iranians don't speak Farsi at hen 275 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 3: and a lot of these people don't have Bibles in 276 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 3: their languages. So there's a lot of work to be 277 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 3: done to make the Gospel accessible and relatable to people. 278 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 3: And then discipleship, so when they do respore, we hear 279 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:14,719 Speaker 3: the gospel, most often they'll respond in faith. So then 280 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:17,319 Speaker 3: we get to work making sure that they're disciples, they're 281 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 3: rooted in their faith. We have a whole program where 282 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 3: a mentor from outside the country will call them regularly, 283 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 3: check on them, teach them Christian doctrine, help them learn 284 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 3: a different way of life. You know a lot of 285 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 3: things have to be unlearned, even things like marriage, family parenting, 286 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 3: that all the principles are different if you'm shifting from 287 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 3: Islam to Christianity. 288 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: So we disciple them through those means. 289 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 3: We have a digital church network, we have a Bible College, 290 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 3: we have an AI app that gives them apologetics, theological 291 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 3: answers to their question. So all sorts of resources to 292 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 3: help them grow in their faith. And then transformation at 293 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 3: the end is really about making sure that we don't 294 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 3: get lost in sort of having the role targets like 295 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 3: how many churches did we plant even or how many 296 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 3: Bibles did we try to But really we want to 297 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 3: see our country transformed. So are there stones that have 298 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 3: been left unturned? Are there people in our society that 299 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 3: we haven't reached because we are. 300 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 1: In danger becoming insulars. 301 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 3: So considering the addicts that prostitutes, the street children, the initate, 302 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 3: just all the different parts of society, making sure that 303 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 3: our churches are active and part of our communities and 304 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 3: transforming the nations. 305 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: That's what we did. 306 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 2: Two questions for you as we close, how can people 307 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 2: around the world pray for the situation in Iran? Secondly, 308 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 2: tell tell us your background and now you developed such 309 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 2: a passion for the Gospel and Iran. 310 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 3: I was born and raised in Iran. I was actually 311 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 3: born on Black Friday, which is the day in nineteen 312 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 3: seventy eight that took the greatest casualties as Uranians were 313 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 3: protesting to bring the regime into power. So it's really 314 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 3: stayed with me. 315 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 2: You know. 316 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 3: I've often thought to myself, well, if the day I 317 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 3: was born was so significant in Iran stories, that I 318 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 3: really want my life to make a significant contribution. And 319 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 3: I've never really been able to check the shake my 320 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 3: love for the country. We left Iran when I was 321 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 3: just before my tenth birthday. Didn't want to leave. That's 322 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 3: a whole other story. There was a supernatural dream and 323 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 3: it was a very clear direction from God that they 324 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 3: had to leave. 325 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: They were The church. 326 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 3: In Iran was founded out of meetings. They were held 327 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 3: in my dad's dad's home that came out of his conversion. 328 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 3: So there's a lot of history there. My mum got 329 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 3: saved through those meetings. My dad grew up in that environment, 330 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 3: and they were going to serve the church their whole lives. 331 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 3: And then God told them to leave so we left. 332 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 3: After we left, God told them that Iran, the church 333 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 3: was going to be driven underground, but that Iran will 334 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 3: open once again. And now here we are thirty five 335 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 3: years later, but Iran would open once again, and they 336 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 3: were to prepare the church for what would become a 337 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 3: season of persecution and then a real season of growth 338 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 3: as Iran reopened to the gospel. So I've been part 339 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 3: of that my whole life. And he asked about prayer, 340 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 3: so I would say, you know, we we encourage. 341 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 1: Prayer in four different areas. 342 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 3: We talked about prayer for the lost, prayer for the Christians, 343 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 3: pray for the leaders of Iran, and then pray for us. 344 00:16:57,800 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: As a ministry. 345 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 3: So and there's a lot more detail on that on 346 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 3: our website, but just to summarize, we obviously want people 347 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 3: to be saved. They're longing for freedom, they're longing for 348 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 3: hope and joy. Then they have none of this right 349 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 3: now in their lives, and we want them to have 350 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 3: it in earthly ways. But we know the real freedom 351 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 3: and hope enjoy they're looking for repand in Jesus, So 352 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 3: we pray for their salvation, pray they'll come across our 353 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 3: programs and hear the gospel. We pray for the Christians 354 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 3: who are increasingly isolated right now. A lot of them 355 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 3: have had to delete all Christian contacts off their phone 356 00:17:29,359 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 3: just because suppose are being checked regularly and their identities 357 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 3: are being revealed. So it's tough. It's tough right now 358 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 3: for Christians. Pray for their comfort, their courage, their protection. 359 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 3: We do keep praying for the Iranian leadership. We pray 360 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 3: for their salvation, for Damascus, Roid salvations, that God will 361 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 3: really be glorified in what he's doing in their lives, 362 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 3: and then he will draw them to repentives and they 363 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 3: will make right where they have caused so much suffering. 364 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 3: And we ask for prayer for us because we're caught 365 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 3: up in all of this and we're doing our best 366 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 3: to meet the needs, and there's a lot of need. 367 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 3: So we need wisdom and we need sources, and we 368 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 3: need to be strengthened in prayer. 369 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:03,639 Speaker 1: Amen to that. 370 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 2: We were speaking to Lana Silk, president and CEO of 371 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 2: Transformed I ran transform Iran dot com as a website. Lana, 372 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 2: thanks so much, thank you, I appreciate it. If you 373 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 2: like today's episode, please subscribe and leave a five star review. 374 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 2: That's how we help more people just like you find 375 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 2: the show. A big thanks to the team at life 376 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 2: Audio for their partnership with us. 377 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:25,639 Speaker 3: On the podcast. 378 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 2: If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you will find 379 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 2: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. 380 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: See you next time.