Stavridis: We Should Not Give an Opportunity to Ayatollahs to Lash Out in Iran

EXCERPT:

STAVRIDIS: "Look, the ayatollahs are on a one-way street. They cannot turn around. They cannot get out of what is building behind them. What is building behind them, you used the d-word a moment ago, 'demographics.' This is an extremely young society, increasingly urban. They’re not looking to live the life the ayatollahs are offering them. So this kind of event creates, you know, an internal bubbling, in addition to the whole game of thrones, who is going to be the next supreme leader. All of that, Joe, and this is your point and it is a correct one, could, could -- I think it is unlikely, but it could cause them, the ayatollahs, to lash out in order to kind of create a rally-around-the flag situation in Tehran. I think it is unlikely. It is worth thinking about. I know U.S. intelligence is concerned about it. That's why our good friend, Real Admiral John Kirby, is at pains to ensure that we don't escalate the situation and give the ayatollahs an opportunity to lash out."