Exiled Iranian prince urges US to abandon talks with Tehran
Photo: Son of the last Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi (https://x.com/PahlaviReza )
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah of Iran, said on Saturday, March 28, that peaceful negotiations with the current Iranian leadership will not eliminate the threat to the United States but will only buy Tehran time. At the same time, he announced that he will once again call on Iranians to take to the streets in protest, according to Reuters.
Pahlavi spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas. His appearance on stage was met with applause, and his statements about helping to liberate the Iranian people drew strong reactions from conservatives and Iranian Americans in the audience.
He referred to recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who explained his tough stance on Iran as a desire not to face threats from Tehran "every two years." According to Pahlavi, any agreements with the current Iranian leadership will lead to exactly that.
"The only thing that the remnants of this regime can be relied on to do is to buy time, to cheat and to steal. They will never be honest or true partners for peace," he emphasized.
According to Pahlavi, the Iranian government will merely simulate negotiations before returning to its usual policy of pressure and threats against the United States.
"It will buy time, it will pretend to negotiate, and then it will return to its old jihadist ways of threatening America, its security and its interests," added the hereditary prince of Iran.
Change of power in Iran
The 65-year-old opposition figure presents himself as the most realistic candidate to lead a transitional government. He also said he is ready to return to Iran at the earliest opportunity, ending his 47-year exile.
In his speech, Pahlavi sought to link a change of power in Iran with US security and business interests. He argued that a free Iran could open major economic opportunities for the United States.
His suggestion to imagine an Iran that would replace the slogan "Death to America" with "God bless America" drew a particularly strong reaction from the audience. Several times during his speech, part of the crowd chanted, "Long live the king."
Pahlavi also recalled his January call for long-term nationwide protests in Iran. He now stated that, "when the right moment comes," he will again appeal to Iranians to rise up in order to "reclaim their homeland, their dignity, and their future."
It should be recalled that Donald Trump has previously stated that he wants to avoid a prolonged war and hopes to end the conflict in the coming weeks. According to media reports, the US president insists on adhering to previously established timelines.
As part of preparations for negotiations, Trump paused strikes on Iranian energy targets for ten days. According to him, this step was taken at Tehran’s request, and the dialogue with the Iranian side "is going very well."
Iran has also promised to provide the US with a counterproposal for a peaceful settlement. The White House has said it is waiting for an official signal from Tehran.
