Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Responds to Iran’s Attack on Israel
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi responded to Iran’s attack on Israel in an interview with Sky News.
In Iran’s attack on Israel in the early morning hours of Sunday, approximately 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, which proved ineffective. When asked about his reaction to the attack, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said: “First of all, understand that this regime is becoming weaker and more desperate by the moment. What is interesting is that the regime, simultaneously with this attack on Israel, is also attacking Iranian women inside the country. Repression domestically and aggression externally have been part of this regime’s core strategy in promoting an ideology from day one, and that is why we have reached this point. There was also a domestic consumption aspect and extensive propaganda to satisfy their base, but it was at the expense of a nation that is the first victim of this regime.”
If you look at it from this perspective, Israelis, Iranians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, and Iraqis are all ultimately affected by what this regime seeks to do.
When asked about Iran’s portrayal of these attacks as successful in the eyes of the people, he said: “The view of most of my compatriots is on billions of dollars wasted on weapons that proved to be ultimately ineffective. While Iranians are standing in lines to obtain food and fuel and are worried about what will happen under very poor economic conditions. Our country will not benefit from this regime that does not spend a single coin on our society’s needs. Instead, to maintain itself in power, it provides financial support to its proxies in the region. This is the perception Iranians have of this situation, and as you well know, I believe many regional leaders, including Israelis, are well aware that Iranians do not support what this regime supports in any way. What they seek is precisely the opposite of what this regime is.”
Crown Prince Pahlavi continued and, in response to a question about what he thinks will happen next as Israelis are discussing options, added: “I won’t engage in speculation about who will do what and whether this will escalate or not, but what I can tell you is that the ultimate solution that ends all the problems directly related to this regime—the nuclear threat, radicalism, terrorism, or instability in the region—will end with the end of this regime. The Iranian people have begun their struggle for freedom for a long time, and I believe now is the time when the world can make a final decision through a major change in its policy. That is, instead of pursuing diplomatic and appeasement routes, which emboldened this regime to do exactly what it recently did, to end it by supporting the Iranian people who are an alternative.”
Regarding whether anyone will listen to and support the opposition and coalition he has formed, he said: “I believe that is exactly what should happen. Now the world, especially after recent events, should think about how much longer we can continue with the status quo and hope for a different outcome against a regime that was given many opportunities but did not change. The reason is very simple, because the survival of this regime depends on the continuation of repression inside Iran, which has been ongoing for decades, and also on maintaining a campaign exploiting an ideology. As long as this regime continues to exist, we cannot imagine an end to it. That is why the Iranian people are the most natural ally for the free world who need support.”
Regarding the question that the only way for regime change is when there is weakness within it, Crown Prince Pahlavi responded: “Yes, certainly that is the case. Look at the millions of Iranians who, despite that level of terror and repression exercised against them, have bravely shown courage for weeks and months in standing up against this regime. Of course there have been ups and downs, but they remain steadfast and continue to resist and do whatever they can.
The question that is not being asked now is: where is the support of foreign countries? Why does the world continue to be engaged in trying to change the regime’s behavior instead of investing in an alternative to this regime, namely the Iranian people, and for a secular and democratic country in the future that stands against this religious dictatorship that is, ideologically, the worst enemy of peace and stability? Their goal and entire honor is in talking about martyrdom and receiving reward in the afterlife. We are talking about the current situation and establishing peace and creating stability in the region and cooperating with our neighbors, completely contrary to this regime. I believe the time has come for the world to make a final decision on this matter, and this is where we need to have a two-pronged approach. Increasing pressure on the regime through imposing more sanctions and also adopting a policy of maximum support for the Iranian people. This is a matter that should be discussed seriously with world leaders and decision-makers in governments.”
