Reza Pahlavi's statements about the mapmaker, the economy after the Islamic Republic, and the "Cyrus Pact"

In an interview, Reza Pahlavi talks about the current Iranian revolution, the democratic transition program, future foreign policy, and his role as a bridge across the Islamic Republic.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, has attempted to present a coherent picture of Iran's political and economic future after the Islamic Republic in an interview; the interview was published and received widespread coverage as nationwide protests in Iran continued and violence increased.

In this interview, he describes the current developments not as a temporary protest, but rather as part of a deeper process, emphasizing that the current Iranian revolution is a direct extension of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement; a movement that, in his belief, has challenged the foundations of the legitimacy of the political system and will be the main engine of future changes.

In this interview, Reza Pahlavi attempts to draw a clear line between himself and the traditional image of the return of the monarchy. He repeatedly emphasizes that he is neither seeking to seize power nor intends to predetermine the final form of government. In a situation where slogans in support of the Pahlavi dynasty are heard at some protest rallies, he defines his role as: “Not the leader of a particular movement, but a bridge for society to move from the Islamic Republic to a democratic system.”

He clarifies that prematurely focusing on whether the future Iran will be a monarchy or a republic is a form of "putting the cart before the horse," and emphasizes that this decision must be made in a democratic process through the drafting of a new constitution.

One of the main themes of the interview is the prince’s attempt to reassure the middle class, managers, and technocrats inside Iran, a group that many analysts say is worried about economic collapse if the regime changes. He does not see political change as synonymous with chaos, but rather presents it as an opportunity for Iran to return to the global economy.

In this context, he emphasizes the release of Iran's frozen assets and says that in consultation with Western governments, he has prepared a plan to directly transfer these resources (estimated at more than $100 billion) to an infrastructure renovation fund. According to him, the immediate focus of this program is to solve the water, electricity and energy crises through cooperation with large global technology companies; an action that he believes can restore social stability in the shortest possible time.

In another part of the conversation, Reza Pahlavi explicitly calls for an end to the influence of military institutions in the Iranian economy. He sees his solution as being based on mandatory transparency, the transfer of holdings affiliated with military institutions to the true private sector, or placing them under the direct supervision of the Court of Accounts.

At the same time, he calls on the international community to weaken the government's financial capacity for domestic repression and regional proxy activities by blocking informal exchange networks and money laundering routes in neighboring countries.

In a key part of the interview, she emphasizes the role of women and says, “The current Iranian revolution has its roots in the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement.” In her opinion, the active presence of women is not only a human rights demand, but also a “prerequisite for economic development.” She sees the abolition of discriminatory laws and the establishment of legal equality as the first step to unleashing the enormous potential of the workforce and creativity in post-Islamic Republic Iran.

Reza Pahlavi outlines a two-stage framework for the future after the fall of the current system: "First, the formation of a transitional government to manage the country's urgent and vital affairs; second, the formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution, determine the system of government, and finalize the separation of religion from the state."

To build consensus among different political spectrums, he introduces three principles as the "axis of unity": "preserving Iran's territorial integrity, absolute separation of religion from politics, and legal equality and individual freedoms." In his belief, these three principles are unchangeable prerequisites for realizing democracy in the future Iran.

In the area of ​​foreign policy, Reza Pahlavi emphasizes restoring Iran to its normal status in the international system. He speaks of a plan to increase oil production to 6 million barrels per day within three years, and considers its realization conditional on complete de-escalation, including joining regional agreements such as the Abraham Accords.

He also emphasized that the future Iran will upgrade this agreement to the "Cyrus Pact" and believes that this name change symbolizes Iran's return to its historical role as a factor of peace and cooperation in the Middle East and the establishment of friendly relations with all neighbors, including Israel.

In one of the most sensitive parts of the interview, Reza Pahlavi, in response to the possibility of foreign intervention to remove Ali Khamenei, explicitly states: “Not even an American soldier should set foot on Iranian soil.” He warns that foreign military intervention will strengthen the regime’s narrative and instead emphasizes “strike diplomacy”; that is, cutting off the IRGC’s financial arteries to cripple the machine of repression.

Reza Pahlavi says that based on reports received, the rate of desertion has increased in the lower and middle ranks of the armed forces. Addressing these forces, he says: “You are hostages of this system, not its pillars.”

He speaks of a “conditional general amnesty” plan for those who have no blood on their hands, and emphasizes that this policy could help reduce the military’s size. In response to concerns about Iran becoming Syrian, he points to the existence of a “technical roadmap” aimed at preserving administrative and service institutions after the collapse of the political core of power.

Reza Pahlavi concludes by emphasizing the need for a return to economic rationality and the concept of “justice, not revenge.” He says that crimes should be tried in competent courts and in accordance with international standards, while warning that “forgiveness” does not mean “forgetting.”

He believes that Iran's reconstruction depends on the return of elites and human capital, and by addressing Iranian experts in the world's scientific and financial centers, he promises that the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law will guarantee the security of investment in Iran's future.

This interview, more than announcing the return of a political dynasty, is an attempt to present a coherent narrative of the "transition"; a narrative that Reza Pahlavi tries to define around stability, economy, secularism, and avoidance of violence, a narrative that is now being followed with care and, of course, skepticism amid the rapid developments in Iran.