Originally Published on Fox News Digital, Posted by Emma Bussey – March 24, 2026
A bipartisan group of former senior U.S. officials — including former military leaders, diplomats, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — has issued a letter backing regime change in Iran and endorsing an opposition roadmap for the country’s future.
The letter, signed by about 30 key individuals calls on Western governments to support Iran’s democratic opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
“With the Tehran regime discredited and weakened, not since 1979 have the Iranian people been in such a position of strength to take it back.” the letter states.
“Democracy should never have been stolen from the citizens of Iran in 1953 and again in 1979.
“The West must now back the democratic movement, and support Iran’s long-suffering citizens as they fight to regain their own country. America has a stake in their success, and we reiterate here our unwavering support for the cause of a Free Iran.”
Supporters of the NCRI say the effort reflects growing momentum among Iranians protesting what they describe as “totalitarian rule under the ayatollahs,” and argue the current government is “deceitful and hostile to allied interests.”
The bipartisan group also endorsed the provisional government announced by the NCRI, which is based on Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-point Plan, and is committed to holding free and fair elections within six months of the regime overthrow to elect a constituent assembly which will draft the new republic ‘s constitution.
The plan calls for an end to clerical rule, democratic governance, and a new constitution guaranteeing freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, equality under the law, separation of religion and state, and a non-nuclear Iran.
Among the signatories are Gingrich, former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Marc Ginsberg, Ret. Gen. James L. Jones, 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, and former Rep. Ted Poe.