Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi urges Trump to strike
Washington: The exiled son of Iran’s former shah said he believed Donald Trump was “a man of his word” as he called on the US president to strike Iran for protests against the Islamic Republic in Tehran, despite demonstrations declining.
Reza Pahlavi, whose father was ousted as ruler in the 1979 Iranian revolution, sought help from the international community “sooner rather than later”, asserting himself as the country’s natural transitional leader when the regime fell.
“I am in a unique position to ensure a stable transition,” he said at a news conference in Washington, where he lives. Speaking in English, he said demonstrators in Iran were carrying his placard and chanting for his return – although it is difficult to gauge the true extent of his support.
Pahlavi directed his appeal to the world, but was mainly aimed at Trump, who has been toying with military strikes throughout the week but has held off until now, citing regime pledges to stop killing protesters and cancel some 800 planned executions.
Shortly after Pahlavi’s speech, reporters asked Trump if aid was still “on the way” as he promised earlier in the week when he encouraged protesters to continue fighting and “take over” Iran’s institutions.
“We’ll see,” Trump said. “As you know, Iran canceled the executions of more than 800 people… I have great respect that they canceled this.”
Trump also denied reports that he chose not to attack Iran this week due to intense lobbying by US allies in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
“Nobody convinced me, I convinced myself,” he said. “They canceled the executions, this had a big impact.”
Iran has not publicly confirmed such cancellations. The country’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, denied in an earlier interview with Fox News that the government planned to execute any political prisoners.
Human Rights Activists, an advocacy group in Iran, said at least 2,677 people were killed in the protests. It was also stated that Iran has executed 52 people on murder and drug-related charges since January 5, when the protests intensified.
Pahlavi said Iranians would continue to fight for freedom no matter what, even though reports from the field showed that the demonstrations were fading under the brutal repression of the Islamic theocratic regime.
Many Tehran residents reached by Reuters said the capital had been relatively quiet for four days. Drones were flying over the city but there were no signs of major protests on Thursday or Friday.
Pahlavi said more lives would be saved if the international community decided to intervene sooner by increasing economic sanctions, providing satellite internet access and expelling Iranian diplomats, in addition to military action.
“If the world cares about Iran’s loss of life, then they better take action and level the playing field for us, so we have a better chance of succeeding with fewer casualties and fewer deaths,” Pahlavi said.
The Pentagon has confirmed it is moving an aircraft carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the Middle East amid tensions, but this could take up to 10 days. US media reported that Trump was told that more forces were needed in the region to combat Iran retaliating against any possible attack.
“President Trump has clearly said that the regime will face serious consequences if it deals a harsh blow to the Iranian people,” Pahlavi said on Saturday (AEDT). “I believe the president is a man of his word. Who knows how many days it will take? Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”
Before the press conference, journalists were shown videos of demonstrators chanting “Long Live the Shah” as well as protesters apparently injured or killed at the hands of the regime. This chant was heard at many protests, but others called for the destruction of the Islamic Republic without a return to the monarchy.
The ousted ruler’s son has put himself forward as the obvious person to head a transitional government in Iran, detailing a plan in which Iranians would draft and approve a constitution and elect a parliament.
He said the system of government could be a republic or a monarchy. He denied that he could become another dictator or oppressive ruler, saying Iranians knew his record on democracy and human rights.
“They know they can trust me because they have never seen me hesitate on this issue,” Pahlavi said.
A day earlier, he posted a video on social media outlining a vision for Iran to counter terrorism and Islamist extremism, as well as organized crime and drug trafficking. It will normalize relations with the United States, recognize the state of Israel, and pursue the “Cyrus Accords” between Iran, Israel, and the Arab world.
Analysts think Pahlavi’s messages were mainly directed at Trump, who has expressed doubts about the exiled crown prince’s popularity in Iran and whether he will have enough support to lead.
“He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’ll play in his own country,” Trump told Reuters on Wednesday. “And we’re not there yet.”
Pahlavi reportedly met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff last weekend. He did not comment on other conversations with Trump administration officials.
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: excitement or email.
