Prince Reza Pahlavi: "The Iranian people, like Cyrus the Great, are peace-loving and peace-making"

In a message on the occasion of the release of Israeli prisoners from Gaza, Prince Reza Pahlavi said of the Iranian people that, like Cyrus the Great, they are peace-loving and peace-making.

Following the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in the recent Gaza conflict, Prince Reza Pahlavi, in a message, congratulated Israel and the families of the hostages and appreciated the efforts of the United States and the role of Trump; but the bulk of his message focused on the situation of the Iranian people and the fight against the Islamic Republic regime. The following is a background of the regional situation, as well as his full remarks and some additional points.

Regional background and importance of the message

• The release of Israeli hostages after more than two years of captivity is one of the prominent pillars of the ceasefire agreement and international negotiations in the Middle East. This action not only has a humanitarian aspect, but also carries an important political message for the region and its actors.
• In this situation, countries such as the United States and Egypt have taken on the role of mediator and guarantor. Trump has emphasized the leadership and contribution of the United States in ending this.
• On the other hand, the country of Iran and its human rights situation are always the focus of the international community. Critical messages towards the Islamic Republic regime in such situations can be seen as a voice of solidarity with the Iranian people.
• Prince Pahlavi's words in this context are part of the opposition movement and an expression of hope for change and freedom in Iran.

Reacting to the release of Israeli prisoners from Hamas custody, Prince Reza Pahlavi expressed his happiness and said: "I am very pleased with the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas custody. This release has brought peace to their families after two years of excruciating suffering. I also appreciate President Donald Trump and his team for their leadership in ending this suffering and their tireless efforts to establish peace in the region."

But in these moments of joy for the people and the country of Israel, my thoughts and hearts are also with my compatriots in Iran, who continue to be held hostage by a brutal regime. The Iranian people know better than anyone that the Islamic Republic will never allow true peace to be established in the Middle East. That is why they are fighting for their freedom. Rest assured that this occupying regime will fall and Iran will rise again.

"Only then will we see the true and lasting peace in the Middle East that we all seek. Unlike the warmongers of the Islamic Republic who sow chaos and anarchy, the Iranian people, like Cyrus the Great, are peace-loving and peace-making."

Additional points and analysis of Prince Reza Pahlavi's statements show that:

1. Alignment with the international peace front: Prince Pahlavi’s message is a strong emphasis on the value of peace, and he is trying to position himself and the pro-change movements in Iran on a front aligned with international peace trends. This alignment could be important diplomatically and in the media.
2. Dual reaction to freedom and continuing the struggle: His text shows that congratulating the Israelis on their freedom and appreciating Trump does not prevent him from simultaneously referring to the internal situation in Iran and considering the struggle for freedom to be the "natural right" of the Iranian nation.
3. Threatening the regime and hoping for change: Phrases such as "a ruthless regime" or "hoping for the regime's fall" and "Iran will rise again" clearly show that his message is political and transformative in nature, not simply a statement of sympathy.
4. Use of a historical symbol: Referring to "Cyrus the Great" as a historical Iranian symbol known for peace and good governance is a clever attempt to link contemporary aspirations to a historical identity.
5. Risks and limitations: The Islamic Republic regime may perceive this message as provocation or threat and may react at the media, judicial, or security levels. The impact of such messages inside Iran depends largely on the ability to disseminate, counter censorship, and connect with audiences. Internationally, some may view Prince Pahlavi’s message as overly optimistic, especially if structural changes are slow to materialize.
6. Confirming media evidence: In sources published on social media, the message of Prince Pahlavi has been confirmed by quoting official accounts. These sources also state that in his message, he emphasized that only with the "fall of the Islamic Republic" can real and lasting peace be achieved in the Middle East.