going back to history, rouhani was the first person who called khomeni aman khomeni in september 1978. and you know, so he has been participate of the system since then, and even before that it was a revolution. it is very difficult to expect him to become all of sudden the nelson mandela of iran and it is not going to happen. but i think if there is some logic within some groups within the system, they have to understand that the situation is not tenable with can mauney in charge. that may happen africa -- after his death. >> that would require transformation in terms of ideology and in terms processes of government and the way, manner in which the islamic republic conducts itself at home and within the region. i don't think iran needs revolutionary change but evolutionary change isn't going to be enough because as we see people are fed up. and it may only be 40,000 this week but 40,000 over time, particularly with other precipitants can turn into 400,000 and four million very, very quickly. so my sense is, that we have had at least 25-year experiment with trying to reformer ran thro

they have a supreme leader, ayatollah khomeni who runs everything. their president doesn't look like ours. their irgc, the revolutionary guard, they control a huge amount of the economy so the people are not seeing effect of sanctions being lifted. that money is poured into hezbollah. they have tripled or beyond that, the money given to hezbollah. they are involved in syria. they have re-engaged and given money back, largest contributor to hamas. the people will not see the money. the regime doesn't see the need to give it to them yet. it may change. neil: it is like a wounded animal, pinned in the corner they could decidedly be more violent and do decidedly worst things, right? >> they can. iranian regime have the weapons and they won't hesitate to do that if they feel caged. the people you're talking about, protesters, 60% of the populace is under 30 there. you're right. they are also wounded animals. it is coming to a showdown next couple years, without a doubt. neil: what would happen if the president, our president tempted fate, abdicated the en

. >> we've seen ayatollah khomeni come out to suggest that these protests are being fuel bid enemies iran, outside agitators, as it were. is there a risk that president trump, his statements in some ways gives the regime a weapon here to act out against the protesters? >> yeah. i think that -- yes, i think that's -- yes. and that was a concern i had yesterday when i saw him get so virulent in his tweets. it's important for us to come out and defend the protesters' right to do this, do this safely and have a vote in human rights around the world. but i think he has been inserting us into the conversation probably in ways that have not been helpful. now, that said, john, i mean, it was probably likely going to be the iranian regime's pursuit of a foreign enemy or interventionist as well to blame even without his tweet. i don't know that he caused it. he certainly is not helping to stem it. >> no. today's statement may be more measured, using some more diplomatic type speech. if i can i want to get your reaction to other statements of the president, particularly on pakistan. let me read

there was uprising that led to ayatollah khomeni, the shah was kicked out of the country.see the reverse happening now, right. >> look, nobody knows exactly what is going to happen in iran. of course we wish the people in the streets every success in their quest for freedom. we're obviously following the events very carefully. but to blame israel for what is happen something laughable and you know, we wish them every success. the iranian people, not the regime. neil: all this happens at same time not too far away our president has been thinking of taking away 230, $240 million in aid for pakistan. that the pakistanis can't be trusted. that other administrations, republican, democrat kowtowed to their wishes and gotten very little from it. what do you think of all that? >> well, in the same tweet he addressed the issue of aid to the palestinians, that of course is an american decision, not an israeli decision but it is outrain just what the palestinians are spending their money on. not only running away from every single peace offer we have offered, not only are they saying