Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s ousted monarch Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, has urged Israelis to financially support civil disobedience initiatives in Iran, emphasizing their vital role in achieving regime change.
Pahlavi, whose father was overthrown in the 1979 revolution after ruling for 38 years, made this appeal during a speech at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) national summit on September 20, 2024, at the Washington Hilton. His remarks were met with enthusiasm from the audience, which included Israeli-American activists and supporters.
The younger Pahlavi has been a vocal critic of the current Iranian regime since it replaced his father’s rule. His speech aimed to strengthen outreach to the Israeli public, building on his notable visit to Israel in April 2023.
In a post-speech interview with VOA, Pahlavi outlined two key components of his strategy: increasing pressure on the Iranian regime while also enhancing support for the Iranian people. He stressed the importance of funding civil disobedience movements, including protests and labor strikes, and acknowledged the challenges posed by U.S. sanctions that hinder financial support from the Iranian diaspora.
“Many diaspora Iranians want to help, but U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible for them to send money home,” Pahlavi stated, calling for a reevaluation of these sanctions to facilitate support for regime opponents.
He dismissed any messages aimed at the Iranian government, asserting that “Iranians, by the millions, have shown how much they despise this regime.” Pahlavi expressed a desire for peaceful relations with neighboring countries, emphasizing that the current Iranian leadership obstructs regional stability.
Addressing skepticism from some members of the Iranian diaspora regarding his pro-Israel stance, he argued that a strategic partnership with Israel could significantly benefit Iran, especially in addressing its water crisis through Israeli expertise in agriculture and resource management.
Pahlavi also condemned rising antisemitism and called for a united front against regimes that promote such ideologies. “The time of reacting to these reactionaries must come to an end,” he asserted, advocating for proactive measures rather than merely responding to threats.
He concluded by urging cooperation between Israelis and Iranians to facilitate a peaceful transition to a democratic Iran, stating, “If you work together, we can secure prosperity and dignity for our people, and stability and security for our world.” The event ended with enthusiastic applause, reflecting a growing solidarity between the two communities in their shared aspirations for freedom and peace.
