The Phoenix Project; Reza Pahlavi's Plan for 'Rebuilding Iran' Launched

Prince Reza Pahlavi, one of the leaders of the Iranian opposition, spoke on Friday, February 3, about his plan for 'rebuilding Iran' after the potential overthrow of the Islamic Republic, introducing a research project named 'Phoenix'. During a press conference held at George Washington University, Mr. Pahlavi stated that the goal of the Phoenix project is to utilize the knowledge of Iranian specialists for the reconstruction of Iran. He mentioned that last year, after consulting with a large group of Iranian experts, he asked Allahyar Kongarloo, an Iranian scientist, to gather a group of 'renowned' scientists and specialists to establish a research organization dedicated to finding various solutions for rebuilding Iran. Prince Reza Pahlavi also referred to the Phoenix project as 'an initiative to empower Iranian civil society'. He added, 'The lack of institutions like Phoenix in contemporary Iranian history has fueled delusions and superstitions, and on the other hand, has allowed Iran's enemies to halt the economic growth and cultural elevation of our society.' Mr. Pahlavi expressed hope that all Iranian scientists would join this initiative. Reza Pahlavi's name has been more prominent than ever as one of the leaders of the Iranian opposition, especially after the protests in December of last year, which initially focused on the country's economic conditions but quickly shifted to target the leaders of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian government. Mr. Pahlavi emphasizes the need to move beyond the Islamic Republic and establish a secular government based on the people's vote. In a conversation with the Persian section of Voice of America following his press conference, he stated that the aim of the Phoenix project is to provide a 'roadmap' to address fundamental issues in the country, including the water crisis, environmental issues, and healthcare. Mr. Pahlavi remarked, 'The concerns of political forces are more about confronting this government [the Islamic Republic] rather than necessarily providing a roadmap and reconstruction projects for the country. Even if we say that there are political parties with economic plans for tomorrow, they still need to consult specialists. These specialists can today provide their knowledge to Iranian society under the Phoenix project.' The Phoenix project consists of various scientific groups. Dr. Allahyar Kongarloo, a scientist in the fields of neurobiology and magnetic physics at Columbia University and the New York Psychiatric Institute, is in charge of coordinating the Phoenix project.