Reza Pahlavi, Son Of Last Shah Of Iran Talks Israel-Iran War
10:04 Share

This is an iHeart Podcast.

Joining us now is Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran. Reza, thank you so much for being with us. I want to start with a question. Are you in active discussions in any way to return to Iran in a leadership role if there is some sort of regime change in Iran? Good morning to you and to my fellow competitors following this program and all of your audience.

There is a campaign for liberation that we've been committed to all these years. The moment is approaching very fast. The regime is on the verge of collapse. We see elements within the regime already talking defections. They get in touch with us.

We see a leader who is now hiding in a bunker like a rat, while many high elements are taking flight from Iran. I think all of this is conducive to something that may very soon happen. And finally, my fellow compatriots will be able to

overcome. And of course there's a plan not only for this phase of our struggle, which is liberation from this regime, but what happens right next, the transition to what we hope will culminate in a democratic outcome. I have stepped in to lead this campaign at the behest of my compatriots,

I have a plan of action not only to manage this phase of transition, but also to plan for Iran's future recovery and prosperity, which at the end has to go hand in glove with our democratic ideas. Just a question here. Who are the compatriots who've approached you to try to helm this leadership push?

Well, I think that you have people who have vested interests in preserving this regime because their whole survival depends on this regime all this time, whereas the millions of my compatriots who were the first victims of this regime have paid all these four decades a very heavy price. We have seen many campaigns that people protested. The latest one was two years ago, the Women Like Freedom movement. And finally, I think today with this

clear weakening of the regime. And as I said, being on the verge of collapse, finally all these people who have risked their lives and honorably

put their lives on the line and did die for the cause, we'll be able to remember as heroes of this conflict because we'll be liberated sooner than everybody thinks. And my entire commitment has been from day one to support my compatriots in the struggle for liberation. And we believe that the end is very near for the regime and our dreams of liberty will finally be realized very soon. Reza, on the ground, what we've seen in Iran is those in Tehran, for example, trying to evacuate Israel, saying more recently that they would look

at targeting places there. You've seen fear, you've seen strikes, and you've seen death. How complicated and how difficult is it to ask a populist to rise up and rally behind you when they're the very same ones that are under threat right now? - Look, I think many of my competitors are smart enough to understand that if right now, if until now, and in fact many of your colleagues in the media have always asked me, how do you fight a regime that is so repressive, that is so ruthless, that executes, that threaten dissidents or activists at home,

to which I said, well, obviously, the playing field has to be more equalized.

This is a case where for the first time in four years we see this regime be declod, literally declod. But it is also important to have the support of the world community. Because until now many times my compatriots have been thrown under the bus when they had an opportunity to be back because of a policy of appeasement or containment. I think now the situation for the first time exists for the world to realize that it is no avail to expect this regime to change its attitude and behavior.

Ali Khamenei is at war with the world, not the Iranian people. He's the main culprit for being here and having Iranians also have innocent victims and civilians died, to whom my heart goes out, of course. But I think right now we need to be focused on the goal and the aim. We have a tremendous opportunity to overcome this regime. I think the world will be the sigh of relief with this regime no longer be there. We are carrying out...

If I can jump in here, because you say the goal and the aim is a regime change. What we have heard from Israel is that their goal is to dismantle the nuclear forces from Iran. Is it your understanding that a regime change is also a goal from the Israelis? And have you been in contact with them?

I'm not asking any foreign governments to state a policy of regime change, although I think many of them do believe that ultimately that would be the best formula to get rid of so many problems at the same time, and not just a nuclear threat, as a result of this regime track record of behavior in the region and beyond, formatting terrorism, supporting

their proxies like Hezbollah or Hamas in the region and so on. But the disappearance of this regime, we're eliminating too many problems that this regime has caused in one shot. The first beneficiary of regime change are the Iranian people themselves. But we believe that our immediate neighborhood, the region, whether it is the Israelis or Arab

neighbors, and beyond that the rest of the free world will understand that the Iranian people who, unlike this regime, want to be part of the civilized world with the same values and principles of liberty and freedom and human rights, unlike this regime, would be

certainly the element of change and, if you will, the alternatives to this regime. I think this is where the world needs to be focused now, beyond the immediate campaign that is a result of the stubbornness of Khamenei, who has dragged our country into it. But let's look at the positive aspect of once we get rid of this regime, how we can envisage a future where our

back to an element of stability and regional peace, which is in everybody's interest. That's what we often focus on. - Just to build on what Danny was asking, have you been in contact with the Israeli leadership?

We are reaching out to everyone and everyone, including the Israeli side, to understand where it is that we stand, what is the expectation of the Iranian people in terms of world support. I think it's pretty much the same thing that many struggling nations under totalitarian regime were looking at any country that understand that they have to stand with the people of a country that is trying to liberate itself. And again, whether it's the Israeli government or the American government or any other government for that matter, the question is,

whose side are you going to stand with today? The Iranian people or continue to insist negotiating with the regime that is on the verge of collapse? There's also a question of what this new leadership looks like. Reza, are you talking about reestablishing the monarchy when that was controversial and it might not have full support from all parties, particularly the more religious elements of the Iranian society?

Well, I have never advocated for one form of a regime or another. What I did and have advocated, and in fact is part of my transition plan, is a process that is totally democratic. That means that the Iranian people have to have the ability to ponder upon whatever a constitutional assembly will propose as a constitutional formula. A future constitution, the form that the regime can take, what it will mean, and ultimately

Unlike 1979, when people had no clue or idea what an Islamic republic means, and by the time they figured it out, it was too late. This time, in full transparency, they'll have the option to look at what's the best model that fits them and let the ballot box decide in majority what the Iranian people will opt for. Will it be a republic? Will it be a constitutional monarchy? Or whatever it is. My objective is not to stand here as the result of that.

And my responsibility right now, my only focus is to see this process through so we can ensure that ultimately we replace this dictatorship with a democratic, and let me underline, a secular democracy, where there's a clear separation of religion from state as a prerequisite. Reza, to that point, past attempts to engineer regime shifts in the Middle East

haven't often ended in liberal pro-Western governments. There are examples, many out there, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, all ending in things that look like fragmentation or current armed forces having the most power and being the ones that emerge in the chaos of a regime shift. What do you suggest that it is different this time?

I think Iranian society, not just for centuries of proving that they have, as a nation state, a concept of a nationhood, national identity, national pride and objective, a culture, a civilization, but also a polity. And a generation today, very shrewd and very clever,

by knowing what it is that will be in their interest, they see the world and how it has evolved, they have seen a successful campaign of liberation, they understand the key elements that sustains and preserves democratic order, and I believe today's Gen Z in Iran is more than ever equipped to understand not only the needs, but how and what it will take to implement that.

Look, it's a collective project. Everybody have to roll up their sleeves and participate. The premise remains the same in the principles of liberty and human rights. But if each member of society is committed to see through it and actively engage in that process, that's where we can guarantee that it's going to be actually

a result that would be positive. I have absolute faith and confidence in my competitors and their wisdom and their know-how and their knowledge. They do need guidance, of course. They do need support, of course. They do need some level of leadership, of course. But at the end, they are the elements and instruments of change. And we are working together very closely to see that through.

Switch to Verizon Business and get more from your internet without paying more for your internet. Get LTE Business Internet starting at $39 a month when paired with select business mobile plans. That's unlimited data and with it, unlimited possibilities. Start saving today with Verizon Business, ranked number one in small business internet customer satisfaction by J.D. Power.

Starting price for 25 megabits per second LTE internet plan with smartphone plan savings, plus taxes, fees, and economic adjustment charge. Terms apply. For J.D. Power 2024 award information, visit jdpower.com slash awards. This is an iHeart Podcast.