Prince Reza Pahlavi: Iran’s Future is Being Written by the People in the Streets of Tehran
Prince Reza Pahlavi, in a speech, spoke about Iran’s future being written by the people in the streets of Tehran.
Prince Reza Pahlavi appeared on the evening of Monday, May 26, coinciding with June 5, at the “A Path Toward Cyrus’s Covenant” ceremony in Toronto, Canada, and in his speech at this event, he called for the unity of free nations to achieve peace, rebuild Iran, and confront the Islamic Republic regime.
The “A Path Toward Cyrus’s Covenant” ceremony was organized by the “Tafsik” organization, and some civil activists, thinkers, political figures, and a group of Iranians participated in it. The Prince emphasized at this ceremony the necessity of revisiting Iran’s historical heritage, particularly the role of Cyrus the Great in establishing the concept of coexistence and human dignity.
Reza Pahlavi began his speech by referring to the ancient bond between the Iranian people and the Jewish people and said: “I am pleased to be with you tonight to speak about a vision that is close to my heart and that is becoming increasingly closer to reality with each passing day, and that is Cyrus’s Covenant. Cyrus the Great reminds us of a deeper truth. That the relationship between Iranians and the Jewish people is not a matter of contemporary diplomacy or politics, but has roots in history. An ancient, glorious, and unparalleled history.
More than 2500 years ago, this Cyrus the Great was the Iranian king who freed the Jewish people from captivity and allowed them to return to their land and rebuild their temple. This was not merely an act of tolerance, but an affirmation of religious freedom and human dignity. An action that set the standard for just leadership and defined the values of the Iranian nation. A nation that was not founded on the basis of imperial conquest, but on the foundation of coexistence.
In the world, there are few nations that have such a shared experience of ancient respect and modern solidarity, and few people understand how heavy the price of tyranny is and how valuable freedom is.”
He continued his remarks about the wishes of the Iranian people: “Let me make this clear, the Iranian people are not seeking enmity with Israel or any of our neighbors. The Iranian nation desires peace, real and lasting peace with the region and the world. Only one actor, one force of evil stands in the way of this peace. It is not our nation that incites war, exports terrorism, and destabilizes the region. Rather, it is an occupying regime and a brutal theocracy that has no legitimacy to speak on behalf of our people.”
Prince Reza, while describing the Islamic Republic as an occupying and brutal regime and criticizing the regime, continued: “For more than four decades, the Islamic Republic has stolen Iran’s identity and, using our name and resources, has tried not to serve the people, but to spread hatred and division. This regime does not represent the spirit of our nation, does not represent the heritage of Cyrus, and will not represent Iran’s future either.”
He also continued in his remarks about popular protests: “The Iranian people have risen not because someone asked them to, but because the struggle for freedom is rooted in the national interest and the national character of the people. They are not waiting for permission, they are not begging for help, they are not passive actors in the geopolitical games of others. This is our movement, this is our struggle, and this is our destiny that we ourselves determine.”
Prince Pahlavi added regarding Iran’s victory and future: “Iran’s future will not be written in Vienna, Rome, or Muscat, but is being written in the streets of Tehran and throughout Iran. Whether the world helps or not, we will continue. Whether governments support us or turn a blind eye to reality, the Iranian people will continue to struggle, and I am confident that they will prevail.”
Reza Pahlavi also continued: “But now the world faces a choice, a moral and strategic choice. You can accelerate the victory of the Iranian people by standing beside them, or you can prolong our suffering by continuing to strengthen their oppressors. The greatest help the world can provide to the Iranian people right now is to stop helping this regime. Stop financing them, stop negotiating with them as a normal regime, not for us, but for yourselves. Because no agreement can solve the nuclear crisis.
Neither the regime’s terrorism, nor its missile program, nor its hostage-taking, nor the economic devastation it has caused will be eliminated by any agreement except an agreement with real Iran. Iran that is represented by representatives of its people, not those who illegitimately hold power through threats. Real peace, real prosperity, and real regional stability begin with a new Iran, an Iran free from this regime.”
Referring to the transition from the Islamic Republic, he said: “But let me make clear that our revolution is not a return to the past; this revolution is a renewal of our true national spirit. We are not only saying no to the Islamic Republic. I am moving forward with a clear vision for a democratic and flourishing Iran and with a clear plan to achieve it.
At the invitation of my compatriots, I have taken the lead to direct this movement and this transition, and I am doing this with a team of men and women from diverse backgrounds, views, and experiences. A diverse group of different individuals with the capacity to reclaim and rebuild our homeland. I am honored to work with each of them, and we hope you will join us as well.”
Prince Reza, referring to the Iran Flourishing Project, added: “In recent weeks, my team and I have introduced the Iran Flourishing Project. A comprehensive framework for political transition and economic reconstruction of a free Iran. This is not a dream, nor merely a vision, but a specific and serious plan developed by experts from within and outside Iran. We have clearly explained how we will stabilize our economy, rebuild institutions, and restore public trust, because we are not just here to end terrorism, corruption, and repression, but we know exactly how we want to rebuild our country, and in this national endeavor, there is a place for every Iranian.
Although the struggle to reclaim and rebuild Iran is a struggle that we Iranians must win ourselves, the Iran we are seeking will not only benefit us, but will benefit all of humanity. Therefore, we ask all of you to join us in this endeavor; not out of pity, but as an investment in a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.
We have already begun to take steps together on this path, but we must remain vigilant. Those who try to prevent us from achieving this peace and prosperity are the same ones that my late father, with deep insight, called the “unholy alliance of red and black.” Communists and Islamists who will not step back without a struggle.”
He also, referring to the terrorist attack and the killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, said: “Just last week, this alliance killed two more innocent people in the streets of Washington, D.C. “Yaron and Sarah,” Yaron was a diplomat at the Israeli embassy who participated in the Iran conference hosted by Nofadi last year and later wrote on social media how proud he was to stand beside the great people of Iran. Now Yaron and Sarah are in heaven, alongside Poya, Nika, Navid, Hadith, and many others of our brave youth. Today I promise each of them that we will continue this struggle in the name of their blessed memory. I promise that we will fight until victory.”
Prince Pahlavi concluded his speech as follows: “Let tonight mark the beginning of a new season. A season in which the ancient friendship between our peoples becomes the foundation for a new alliance of free nations. A season in which Iranians and Israelis and all people of the region can build together, trade together, innovate together, and live in peace. Let us reclaim the heritage of Cyrus not only in memory, but in practice.”
