Iran is Ripe for Revolution says Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last Shah, is convinced that Iran is on the brink of a revolution. At 63, Crown Prince Pahlavi is committed to ousting the radical Islamic leaders who deposed his father 45 years ago and replacing them with a secular democracy chosen by the Iranian people.
Pahlavi asserts that the Islamic regime is more vulnerable than ever, with widespread discontent among Iranians. “The fight for freedom and liberty is a cause that never ends until it’s achieved,” he told CBN News.
He warns the U.S. and Western nations not to be deceived by the recent election of Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian. Pahlavi describes this election as a “circus” and Pezeshkian as a “puppet” of the radical Muslim regime that maintains control through repression and fear. “Regardless of who is presented, the decisions are ultimately made by Khamenei, the supreme leader,” he explains.
In a recent interview with CBN News, Pahlavi highlighted the Iranian people’s overwhelming desire for political change. He cites regime figures suggesting that at least 73% of the population supports a different form of government, though he believes the actual number is even higher due to the lack of open polling.
In 1979, while preparing to be a fighter pilot in the U.S., Pahlavi’s father was forced to abdicate, and the family was exiled. Pahlavi blames the subsequent Islamic regime for devastating Iran, where 60% of the population now lives below the poverty line. He criticizes the regime for turning Iran from a potential economic powerhouse into a country marked by severe stagnation and poverty.
Under the clerical regime, Iran has become a major sponsor of terrorism and a source of regional instability. “It finances Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis,” Pahlavi says, emphasizing the regime’s extensive network of global operatives.
Pahlavi believes the mullahs are losing their legitimacy and are now relying solely on repression to maintain control. He points to the 2022 protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini as evidence of the public’s readiness to fight for change, despite brutal crackdowns that resulted in over 500 deaths and 20,000 arrests.
He argues that the U.S. and Western nations should stop supporting the regime financially and politically. Pahlavi criticizes what he sees as misplaced hopes for behavioral change from a regime fundamentally committed to its own survival rather than the welfare of the Iranian people.
Pahlavi, who admires Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi for their non-violent activism, leads the National Council of Iran, which seeks to replace the Islamic regime with a secular democracy. He calls for global support for the Iranian people and stresses that reform from within the current regime is no longer feasible.
Despite ongoing religious persecution, Pahlavi notes a significant rise in Christian faith in Iran, with many converting despite severe risks. He underscores the harsh reality faced by converts, including severe punishments and assassinations.
When asked if the fight for democracy is worth the heavy toll, Pahlavi reflects on other historical struggles for freedom, emphasizing that giving up is not an option. “Iranians are risking everything because they know that the only way out is through success,” he concludes.
https://www.rezapahlavi.org/
