Reza Pahlavi: Collapse is Inevitable and We Must Prepare for It

Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah, said in a statement that with reference to recent widespread protests in Iran, the Islamic Republic system is collapsing and work on “rebuilding new political authority to lead the transition process” must begin immediately.

Reza Pahlavi says the “prospect of collapse” of Iran’s ruling political system has become evident, “the house of corruption is collapsing” and “the fall of the Islamic Republic is inevitable,” therefore preparations must be made to lead the political transition of this period.

The son of Iran’s former shah made these remarks in a new statement published on Saturday, December 30 (November 30) in connection with recent widespread protests in the country.

He said: “November 1998 rang the death knell of the corrupt so loudly that its echo continues to resound in every corner of the world. An echo that has increasingly accompanied the minds of policymakers with the question: how can we prepare for the inevitable fall of the Islamic Republic?”

Reza Pahlavi added: “Less than two years ago, on such days, after the uprising in December, in remarks addressed to Iran’s civil society, while emphasizing the proximity and inevitability of the Islamic Republic’s collapse process, I reminded that the prospect of the system’s collapse and subsequently the necessity of organizing a new authority has placed before us Iranians more than ever before: the collapse of a political system requires preparation.”

Reza Pahlavi, stating that “we face a grave dilemma,” wrote: “The dilemma of survival or extinction. The national and historical responsibility of each of us at this epochal juncture is to, by correctly identifying the human and discursive indicators of a force capable of shaping such authority, pave the way for rebuilding the country within the framework of a new civility.”

The son of Iran’s former shah called for “rebuilding new political authority to lead the transition process” and emphasized that this work must begin immediately. In his view, this political leadership is what will ultimately prepare the country for legal, political, and economic transition, based on the ballot box, from Islamic rule to Iranian rule.

Reza Pahlavi sees an important responsibility for himself in providing “new political authority” or “transition period leadership,” however he emphasized: “Providing the tools for national readiness for political leadership during the transition period is the responsibility of all of us. As a soldier, I will not shy away from shouldering my share in this national endeavor for a moment… although political tools must be entrusted to the capable hands of wise statesmen.”

Source: DW