Exiled prince outlines roadmap for democratic transition in Iran

Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi said on February14 that millions of Iranians have publicly called for his return, describing the appeals as both humbling and a serious responsibility, during remarks at the Munich Security Conference.

“Millions of Iranians chanted my name and called for my return. That humbles me and gives me a lot of responsibility at the same time to answer their call and to be the leader of this transition as they have asked for,” he said at a press conference, Caliber.Az reports per Iran International. 

Pahlavi outlined what he described as a roadmap for a democratic transition in Iran, centered on the formation of a temporary government tasked with organising a constitutional process. According to his proposal, a constitutional assembly elected by Iranians would determine the country’s future political system.

“At the end of this process, once the constitution is approved and the nation votes in a referendum to adopt it, we will have the election of the first new parliament and the first new government of that future democracy,” he said, adding that the temporary government would then hand over power to elected officials.

He emphasised that participation in the movement would not depend on political ideology, saying, “anyone who agrees with ‘those four core principles, irrespective of their political affiliation or viewpoints, can be part of this national struggle for freedom.’”

Pahlavi described his support base as broad and diverse, including republicans and monarchists, members of different ethnic and religious communities, and individuals from across the political spectrum.

“My position is neutral towards the outcome,” he said, adding that Iranians should determine their preferred system “by the ballot box” in a free election whose results all sides respect.

He sharply criticised the Islamic Republic’s electoral system, arguing that Iran does not hold genuine free elections and that portraying them as such is “a mockery of democracy.”

Addressing concerns about instability during a potential transition, Pahlavi said stabilising the country would be the immediate priority.

He said the immediate focus during a transition would be to “stabilise the country, stabilise the economy” and ensure security, arguing that encouraging “maximum defections” would help avoid the kind of collapse seen in Iraq after Saddam Hussein.

Those “criminally responsible” with “the blood of people on their hands” would face accountability in court, he added.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said that regime change in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen,” in one of his clearest endorsements yet of replacing the country’s clerical establishment.

By Sabina Mammadli