Prince Reza Pahlavi: The future of Iran will be written by the people on the streets of Tehran

During a speech, Prince Reza Pahlavi said that the future of Iran would be written by the people on the streets of Tehran.

On the evening of Monday, May 26, corresponding to June 25, Prince Reza Pahlavi attended the "Path to the Cyrus Pact" ceremony in Toronto, Canada, and in his speech at the ceremony, he called for the unity of free nations to achieve peace, rebuild Iran, and confront the Islamic Republic regime.

The ceremony, "A Path to the Cyrus Pact," was held by the "Tafsik" organization, and was attended by some civil society activists, intellectuals, political figures, and a group of Iranians. At the ceremony, the prince emphasized the need to reexamine Iran's historical heritage, especially 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, saying: “I am pleased to be with you tonight to speak about a vision that is close to my heart, and that vision is becoming closer to reality every day, and that is the Cyrus Accords. 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 is rooted in history. An ancient, glorious, and unparalleled history.

More than 2,500 years ago, it was Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, who freed the Jewish people from captivity and allowed them to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. This was not just an act of tolerance, but an affirmation of religious freedom and human dignity. It was an act that set the standard for just leadership and defined the values ​​of the Iranian nation. A nation founded not on conquest, but on coexistence.

"Few nations in the world have such a shared experience of ancient respect and new solidarity, and few people understand how heavy the price of tyranny is and how precious freedom is."

He continued his speech about the Iranian people’s desire, adding: “Let me be clear, the Iranian people do not seek enmity with Israel or any of our neighbors. The Iranian people want peace, a real and lasting peace with the region and with the world. Only one actor, one evil force, stands in the way of this peace. It is not our people that are fomenting war, exporting terror, and destabilizing the region. It is an occupying regime and a violent theocracy that has no legitimacy to speak on behalf of our people.”

In part of his speech, Prince Reza described the Islamic Republic as an occupying and violent regime and criticized the regime, continuing: "For more than four decades, the Islamic Republic has stolen Iran's identity and, by using our name and resources, has worked not to serve the people, but to spread hatred and division. This regime does not represent the spirit of our nation, it does not represent the legacy of Cyrus, and it will not represent the future of Iran."

He also continued his speech about the popular protests, adding: "The people of Iran have risen not because someone asked them to, but because the struggle for freedom is rooted in their national interests and in their national nature. They are not waiting for permission, they are not begging for help, they are not passive players in the geopolitical game of others. This is our movement, this is our struggle, and this is our destiny, which we ourselves determine."

Regarding Iran's victory and future, Prince Pahlavi added: "The future of Iran will not be written in Vienna, Rome, or Muscat, but in the streets of Tehran and the four corners of Iran. Whether the world helps or not, we will continue. Whether governments support or turn a blind eye to reality, the Iranian people will continue to fight, and I am confident that they will win." 

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 with them, or you can prolong our suffering by continuing to empower their oppressors. The greatest help the world can give the Iranian people now is to stop helping this regime. Stop financing them, stop negotiating with them as a normal regime, not for our sake, but for your own sake. Because no agreement can solve the nuclear crisis. 

"Or the regime's terrorism, or its missile program, or its hostage-taking, or the economic devastation it has wrought, no deal will eliminate these except a deal with the real Iran. An Iran represented by representatives of its people, not those who hold power illegitimately by threats. Real peace, real prosperity, and real regional stability begin with a new Iran, an Iran free from this regime." 

Referring to the transition period of the Islamic Republic, he said: "But let me make it clear that our revolution is not a return to the past, this revolution is a renewal of our true national spirit. We are just saying no to the Islamic Republic. I am moving forward with a clear vision for a democratic and prosperous Iran and with a clear plan to realize it." 

"At the invitation of my fellow countrymen, I have stepped forward to lead this movement and this transition, and I do so with a team of men and women from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. A diverse group of people with different abilities to reclaim and rebuild our homeland. I am proud to work with each of them, and we hope you will join us." 

Referring to the Iran Prosperity Project, Prince Reza added: “In recent weeks, my team and I have introduced the Iran Prosperity Project. A comprehensive framework for the political transition and economic reconstruction of a free Iran. This is not a dream, nor is it merely a vision, but a concrete, serious plan, formulated by experts from inside and outside Iran. We have clearly explained how we will stabilize our economy, rebuild institutions, and restore public trust because we are not here just to end terror, corruption, and repression, but we know exactly how we want to rebuild our country, and in this national effort, there is a place for every Iranian. 

Although the battle to reclaim and rebuild Iran is an Iranian battle that we must win ourselves, the Iran we seek will not only benefit us, but all of humanity. So we ask all of you to join us in this effort, not out of pity, but as an investment in a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East. 

"We have just begun to walk this path together, but we must remain vigilant. Those who are trying to prevent us from achieving this peace and prosperity are what my late father so insightfully called the 'unholy alliance of red and black.' Communists and Islamists who will not back down without a fight."   

He also referred to the terrorist attack and the murder of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., and said, “In the past week alone, this coalition killed two more innocent people on the streets of Washington, D.C. “Yaron and Sara,” Yaron was a diplomat at the Israeli embassy who attended the Iran conference hosted by Nofadi last year and later wrote on social media how proud he was to stand with the great people of Iran. Now Yaron and Sara are in heaven, next to Pouya, Nika, Navid, Hadith, and many other of our brave youth. Today, I promise each and every one of them that we will continue this fight in the name of their glorious memory. I promise that we will fight until victory.” 

Prince Pahlavi concluded his speech with: “Let tonight be the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter in which the ancient friendship between our nations becomes the foundation for a new alliance of free nations. A chapter in which Iranians and Israelis and all peoples of the region can build together, trade together, innovate together, and live in peace. Let us reclaim Cyrus’ legacy, not just in memory, but in action.”