Israeli Minister: I Told the Pahlavi Family Next Year in Iran

Gila Gamliel, Israel's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, emphasized in an interview with the Jerusalem Post published on Friday, March 8, that many people in Iran desire "regime change and friendly relations with Israel." According to the newspaper, Gamliel, who recently met with Prince Reza Pahlavi and his mother, Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi, stated that she told them: "Just as we say in Judaism: Next year in a rebuilt Jerusalem, we say: Next year in Tehran." She described this meeting as "emotional and hopeful" and said: "This meeting gave us a vision of the day after the fall of the Iranian regime – a time when the two nations can develop new relations." According to the report, Prince Reza Pahlavi and Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi remain hopeful for the return to a free Iran. The Israeli minister spoke about Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi, saying: "She suffers greatly when she sees the status of women in the country. Farah receives countless letters from Iranians describing the dire economic situation and the severe oppression they face. Anyone opposing the regime is imprisoned, tortured, or executed. This makes it very difficult for people to challenge the regime." She also stated: "Iranians are a people with an ancient and rich culture, a proud people, and they all desire freedom and seek connection with the free world. When the crown prince visited Israel, while we were standing next to the Western Wall, we talked about the Cyrus Covenant as part of the Abraham Accords." The Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology announced that her country has the capacity to help solve many urgent issues in Iran, such as water scarcity and air pollution. She said: "I am very optimistic that this change will happen much sooner than people expect" and "there is no reason why it shouldn't. The people of Iran know that their government exploits them. The Ayatollahs are suppressing their citizens while sending money to Iranian proxies. The Iranian nuclear threat endangers global peace, and we will not remain idle. We will not allow a nuclear Iran to exist." In another part of this interview, the Israeli Minister warned about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and called for tougher sanctions against this government. She emphasized: "The only way to prevent the advancement of Iran's nuclear program and the suppression of popular protests is to impose crippling sanctions." Gamliel urged the U.S. and European countries to take further actions to contain Iran, adding that increasing economic pressure could lead to internal changes in Iran. Regarding the situation in Gaza, she stated that international aid for rebuilding this area is not a suitable solution. According to the Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, "the international community should provide residents of Gaza with the opportunity for voluntary migration to other countries instead of investing in reconstruction." She also considered the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza as "a failed idea."