Reza Pahlavi: The Islamic Republic is Inherently Unreformable

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, stated in a recent interview with the Associated Press that he believes the Islamic Republic government in Iran is 'inherently unreformable' and sees the path to 'fundamental change' in Iran as a 'peaceful revolution' that could begin with a 'nationwide strike by labor unions.' In the interview published on Sunday, April 8, he remarked that 'this regime is not reformable because its essence, its DNA, is such that it cannot be reformed.' He further added, 'People have abandoned the idea of reform and now think that a fundamental change must occur. The big question is how this change can happen?' In response to the question of how a peaceful revolution could be possible in Iran, he stated that this process requires a 'nationwide strike by labor unions.' He emphasized that to create a peaceful revolution, it is necessary to assure members of the Revolutionary Guard that they will not be 'executed or shot.' Pahlavi also stressed that 'most importantly,' Western governments should maintain their distance and refrain from threatening military action. In another part of the interview, the former crown prince added, 'If you look at the legacy left by both my father and my grandfather... you see the contradiction with this radical, outdated regime that has roots in religion and has acted oppressively.' Since the recent elections in the United States, Reza Pahlavi has given several interviews to media outlets, including the right-wing website Breitbart, which was once managed by Steve Bannon, a key strategist for the new U.S. president. Pahlavi, who still resides in the United States, told the Associated Press that he has had 'no other jobs' since the 1979 revolution and has been financially supported by his family and 'many Iranians who support his goal.' In a recent interview with Radio Farda, Pahlavi stated that he has no concern for monarchy and prioritizes democracy, human rights, and secularism, advocating for a government where Muslims and atheists can be free without conflict with each other. He reiterated in his latest interview with the Associated Press that 'my focus right now is on liberating Iran, and for this, I will find any way that does not jeopardize national interests and independence, with anyone willing to help, whether the United States, Saudis, Israelis, or anyone else.' A while ago, Pahlavi wrote a letter to Donald Trump, the U.S. president, asking him to separate the Iranian people from the Islamic Republic regarding recent immigration restrictions. The former crown prince stated on Sunday to the Associated Press that despite sending a letter to Trump, he has not yet met with him. According to the Associated Press, the Mojahedin-e Khalq group previously paid '50,000 dollars' to one of Trump's cabinet members for a speech. Pahlavi mentioned that due to the Mojahedin-e Khalq's collaboration with Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war, this makes them 'not a suitable [political] partner.' He also stated that he believes the structure of the Mojahedin-e Khalq is 'largely cult-like.' In conclusion, Pahlavi expressed his desire to meet with Trump and his administration members but hopes for the 'historical sense of Iran.'