'A free Iran is within reach': Reza Pahlavi seizes Iran's interim helm as millions demand change
WASHINGTON, DC: The exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi on Saturday, March 28, said that he had accepted calls to serve as an interim leader of Iran during a potential transition to democracy.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, Pahlavi addressed supporters and outlined his vision for the country’s future.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent military exchanges involving Iran. The exiled figure also urged continued international pressure on Tehran.
Reza Pahlavi accepts leadership role and outlines transition vision
During his speech, Pahlavi said he was prepared to take on a leadership role if called upon by the Iranian people.
“Millions of Iranians have called on me to lead the transition to democracy,” he said. “I have accepted that call not to serve myself, but to serve my nation and my people.”
He also introduced a framework for rebuilding the country, referred to as the Iran Prosperity Project, which he described as “a roadmap for national recovery.”
The plan is intended to guide Iran through political and economic reforms in the event of a transition away from its current system of governance.
Pahlavi emphasized that he believed change in Iran is achievable in the near term. “A free Iran is not a fantasy,” he said. “A free Iran is within reach right now, but as we all know, freedom never comes free.”
He also spoke about the impact of past government actions on public sentiment, stating that “life can never go back to normal” following crackdowns on protests.
“There is a sea of blood between the people and the regime,” Pahlavi said. “After all the massacres, after all they have sacrificed, they will never agree to swap one tyrant for another.”
Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was removed from power during the Iranian Revolution, after which the current Islamic Republic was established.
Calls for continued pressure as regional tensions escalate
Pahlavi urged the United States to maintain its current posture toward Iran, particularly in light of ongoing military developments.
“Do not throw this crumbling regime a lifeline,” he said. “Pave the way for the Iranian people to finish the job.”
His comments follow a recent escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel. Israel reportedly carried out strikes on Iranian manufacturing facilities, and Iran responded with an attack on a US military base in Saudi Arabia, injuring multiple American service members.
Looking ahead, Pahlavi described a broader vision for the region, suggesting that political change in Iran could have wider implications.
“I can imagine a Middle East where Iran is no longer a source of chaos, but an anchor of stability,” he said. “An Iran that does not fear its people, doesn’t threaten its neighbors, doesn’t isolate itself from the world.”
He added, “When Iran is free, the Middle East changes. When Iran is free, America regains a great friend.”
Pahlavi had previously positioned himself as a potential interim leader following reports of leadership changes in Iran after the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Subsequently, a group of clerics selected Mojtaba Khamenei as successor.
