Prince Reza Pahlavi Supports Nurses' Protests: Your Rights Are in the Pockets of Domestic Rulers and Foreign Terrorists

Following the ongoing protests and strikes by nurses in various cities across Iran, Prince Reza Pahlavi emphasized the deserving nature of Iranians for economic welfare and a better life, addressing the people of Iran by stating, "Your rights are in the pockets of domestic rulers and foreign terrorists," and urged them to "come to the field to claim their rights." In a statement published on his social media accounts on Sunday, September 4, Prince Reza Pahlavi remarked, "The nurses' strike in protest against the immense economic difficulties they face is another manifestation of the calamity that corruption, inefficiency, and the regional adventurism of the Islamic Republic have brought upon our homeland and compatriots." He stated that "for over four decades, a small circle of ineffective affiliates of a criminal sect have divided managerial positions among themselves, placing the country's resources in their own pockets and those of their close ones, or spending it on non-Iranian terrorists." According to Prince Reza Pahlavi, the outcome of these individuals sitting at the table of the revolution has been poverty, misery, inflation, unemployment, and constant anxiety for the absolute majority of Iranians. He also noted that "many capable individuals who could quickly rebuild the country and lead it towards progress and civilization are either sidelined or in line for immigration," and that "this situation will not change unless people come to the field to claim their rights in all areas, from livelihood and economy to political and social rights." He expressed hope that "the nurses of the country will succeed in reclaiming at least part of their economic rights against the Islamic Republic." Prince Reza Pahlavi considered the people of Iran "worthy of economic welfare and a better life" and stated that the "right to a better livelihood" is not limited to nurses but applies to all those who work hard or are retired after "years of hard work," noting that their income does not match their efforts and does not provide for a desirable life. He added, "The day that our Iran is administered by patriotic and capable Iranians in a transparent process and within the framework of national interests, the Iranian nation will achieve the welfare and security it deserves. That day will be the day when our Iran is free from the Islamic Republic." The protests and strikes by nurses and healthcare workers, which have intensified in recent weeks, have been described by some analysts as "unprecedented" and have received support from various professional groups. Nurses are protesting against the non-implementation of the tariff law, mandatory overtime, and meager wages, stating that the Ministry of Health must hear their voices and meet their demands. According to Mohammad Sharifi-Moqaddam, the Secretary-General of the Nurses' House, "For the first time in the 100-year history of modern nursing in Iran, protests are taking place in the form of work stoppages," and "the situation has reached a point where it does not matter to nurses if they are fired for striking."