European Parliament and Review of Invitation to Reza Pahlavi to Speak on Free Iran

The European Parliament’s invitation to Prince Reza Pahlavi to speak on Free Iran is an initiative that could potentially highlight the role of Iran’s opposition and plans for democratic transition more prominently in Brussels.

The European Parliament in Brussels is discussing whether to formally invite Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah, to speak about what the institution calls “political developments in Iran,” a matter that has surfaced amid growing pressure for regime change in Iran.

An initial list of activists and opposition figures prepared by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee includes several recognized names who are expected to participate in a special session on Iran’s situation. Among the names on this list, in addition to Reza Pahlavi, are those of human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and leaders of parties and organizations opposing the Islamic Republic. One seat will symbolically remain empty to represent opponents who cannot attend the session due to security constraints or threats from the government.

According to sources close to the European Parliament, the purpose of this list is to prevent focus from concentrating solely on one particular figure among Iran’s opposition. Some representatives in Brussels believe that inviting a prominent figure such as Reza Pahlavi could inadvertently create the impression that the European Union is giving formal support to a specific leader, whereas according to them “Iranians should choose their own future.”

Reza Pahlavi, who has been in exile since 1979 following the Islamic Revolution, is one of the most recognized faces of Iran’s opposition at the global level and has long advocated for democratic transition and an end to Islamic Republic rule. By emphasizing the necessity of separation of religion from state, rule of law, and the end of ethnic and religious discrimination, he presents himself as a potential leader of Free Iran.

In recent years, Pahlavi has not only attracted attention in Europe but has also been a prominent figure during nationwide protests within Iran and large gatherings of Iranians abroad. He also enjoys support from some Iranians in the diaspora and through media and social networks, disseminates messages calling for national unity and an end to oppression. In one of his most recent messages, he called on Iranian citizens and Iranians abroad to continue pressuring for an end to Islamic Republic rule until this goal is achieved.

The discussion about Pahlavi’s invitation to the European Parliament continues as prominent European figures have also expressed views on Iran’s situation and the need to support the opposition. For instance, the President of the European Parliament recently stated in an interview that the European Union should increase pressure on the Tehran regime and not support the suppression of protesters.

Meanwhile, some representatives from various political groups, including European conservatives, have called for a formal invitation to Pahlavi to speak in the plenary hall of Parliament, but the proposal has not yet achieved the necessary consensus. The next session of the European Parliament is scheduled to be held next week in Strasbourg, but parliamentary sources have said that the likelihood of Pahlavi’s attendance is low.

Reza Pahlavi previously attended the European Parliament building in Brussels in 2023 at the invitation of several representatives and delivered speeches about supporting the struggles of the Iranian people for freedom and human rights, speeches that were covered by European and international media.

Simultaneously, in other European capitals such as London, groups of Iranians have held gatherings in support of Pahlavi, demonstrating the dynamism of the Iranian diaspora outside the country.