Speaker 1 (00:14):
Second and final sound check. Test, one, two, three, four. You won't hear anything, James, because it's not on it. Five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10. Is everyone happy? Any objections? Cool.
Speaker X (00:33):
[inaudible 00:00:35].
Stuart Williams (00:34):
Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to Prince Reza Pahlavi's press conference. I'm just going to give you a few bits of housekeeping before we kick off. The prince is going to speak and give some introductory remarks. We're going to then have question and answers. He'll take questions in English, French, or Farsi. We're going to have about 20 or 30 minutes of questions. When you ask a question, could you give your name and organization? Thank you very much. We're just about to kick off right now.
Reza Pahlavi (11:53):
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the International Press Corps, good afternoon. Thank you for being here today. This is a historic moment for our nation. I will begin with a brief message to my compatriots in Iran in Persian, which I will then translate.
(12:13)
[foreign language 00:12:18]. My fellow compatriots, our beloved Iran has been dragged into a devastating conflict, the architect of which is none other than Ali Khamenei and his corrupt, destructive faction. He has driven our nation's economy to the brink of collapse, plundered our national infrastructure and resources, squandered the nation's wealth on developing nuclear weapons, shattered Iran's security and stolen the sovereignty of the Iranian people. This regime is defeated, teetering on the edge of collapse, and must not be allowed to continue. The time has come to end this ruin and begin a new era for Iran. This is a new dawn for Iran's lion and son.
(14:23)
Ladies and gentlemen, over the past few days, I have spoken with people across Iran from every walk of life, an officer in the armed forces, a mother fleeing Tehran, a factory worker from Tabriz, a young woman activist for the Woman Life Freedom Movement. These voices represent a nation embattled, but resilient, that is not asking for its freedom, it is fighting for it.
(14:57)
From the 1999 student protests to the Green Movement, to the 2017 Dey-mah and 2019 Aban Mah uprisings. Thousands of Iranians have given their lives in the fight for Iran's liberation. Today, millions of my brave compatriots continue the fight. One of their stories moved me deeply.
(15:28)
In September 2022, Jawad Haidari was murdered, protesting the Islamic Republic's killing of Mahsa Amini. His sister has continued his fight. She's one of the hundreds of activists the regime has arrested and harassed in recent days. When security forces raided her home, she cried out, "Oh, God. Where shall we go? Where shall we go to flee from your tyranny?" One by one, her neighbors began to respond to her, "We're not going anywhere. They," meaning the regime, "are the ones who've got to go."
(16:14)
These words echo in my heart and should echo in every corner of power around the world. Today, it is clearer than ever the Islamic Republic is collapsing. Credible reports indicate that Ali Khamenei's family and the family of senior regime officials are making preparations to flee Iran. The regime is on its last legs in towns and cities across the country, the military is fractured. The people are united. The foundation of this 46-year tyranny are shaking.
Reza Pahlavi (17:00):
This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes fraught with danger. We stand at a crossroads. One road leads to bloodshed and chaos, the other to a peaceful and democratic transition. The difference in these two roads depends on one factor and one factor alone, whether the current regime in Iran is allowed to survive. If the West throws the regime a lifeline, there will be more bloodshed and chaos because this regime will not submit or surrender after it has been humiliated. It will lash out. As long as it is in power, no country and no people are safe. Whether on the streets of Washington, Paris, Jerusalem, Riyadh or Tehran. There is only one way to achieve peace: a secular democratic Iran. I am here today to submit myself to my compatriots, to lead them down this road of peace and democratic transition. I do not seek political power, but rather to help our great nation navigate through this critical hour towards stability, freedom and justice.
(18:45)
To the people of Iran, I see your courage, I feel your pain. I know you are suffering. I know many of you are afraid for your loved ones, your children, your future, so I speak to you today with a heavy heart. I worked for years, for decades, so that the scourge of war would never reach the borders of our land. Seeing the images of the people of Tehran forced to flee our beautiful capital, the explosions in Isfahan, the fires along the Persian Gulf all fill me with pain. But more than pain, I am filled with anger because this war is the result of the selfishness, hatred and terror of one man, Ali Khamenei. While he directs this war from the safety of his hidden bunker, he uses our people as human shields.
(19:54)
It is time to end the suffering. So today I have a direct message for Ali Khamenei. Step down, and if you do, you will receive a fair trial and due process of law, which is more than you have ever given any Iranian. To other senior regime officials, those of you whose hands are soiled with the blood of the Iranian people, you too will have to face justice. But we will not repeat the mistakes in other failed transitions. To those of you who are loyal to the Iranian nation, and not the Islamic Republic, there is a future for you in a democratic Iran if you join the people now. The choice is yours to make. I know these officers, these soldiers, these brave men exist because they are reaching out to me and telling me they want to be part of this national salvation, but now greater coordination is needed. So to that end, today, I am announcing that I am establishing a formal channel for military security and police personnel to reach out directly to me, my team and our expanding operation. This is a secure platform to efficiently manage the growing volume of inbound communications and requests from those breaking with the regime and seeking to join our movement. For those patriotic members of our armed forces, the time is now to join the nation. If you do, I will make sure your service to Iran is not forgotten and is celebrated.
(22:10)
To the international community, now is the moment to stand with the Iranian people. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Do not throw this regime a lifeline. You are right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability. Only a democratic transition in Iran can ensure these goals are achieved and are lasting. Take for example, the destruction of Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow enrichment facilities. Yes, this has diminished the regime's domestic nuclear enrichment, but it does not diminish the regime's intent to acquire and use nuclear weapons. The regime, enraged and emboldened, will be seeking revenge and can acquire nuclear weapons from other rogue regimes like North Korea. The destruction of the regime's nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace, but the path I offer can. So work with us to ensure a peaceful transition. Now is not the time for hesitation. Now is the time for principled action from each of us.
(23:44)
Forty-six years ago, when my late father and our family were forced to leave Iran, I took an oath to God and to my country. I would not turn my back on Iran or the Iranian people. Every day since, I have dedicated my life to my compatriots, and today I am here to reiterate it and to put myself at their service. I am stepping forward to lead this national transition, not out of personal interest, but as a servant of the Iranian people. I have a clear plan for transition and national renewal. Our transition and future democracy will be based on these three core principles: Iran's territorial integrity, individual liberties and equality of all citizens, separation of religion and state. The final form of this future democracy we seek will be for the Iranian people to decide in a national referendum.
(24:57)
What I offer is not just a vision for the future of our country, but the plan to execute a peaceful, orderly transition. To achieve that, today I am announcing the following initial steps. First, I will convene a national unity summit. This gathering will include activists, dissidents, and groups from across the ideological spectrum who agree to these three principles. It will not be limited just to political groups, but business leaders, professionals, experts and other groups with influence across Iranian society. This summit's objective will be to agree on a roadmap for democratic transition and reconstruction.
(25:52)
Second, in parallel to the democratic process, I am developing an economic plan to rebuild Iran. We have already launched the Iran Prosperity Project, a comprehensive plan for the economic reconstruction and social stabilization of our country in three phases. The emergency phase of the first four to six months, the establishment phase of 18 to 24 months, and the normalization phase, which is long-term. In the coming days, my team of experts will publish the plans for the first 100 days after the collapse of the Islamic Republic based on this work. We are bringing together some of the world's greatest investors, builders, entrepreneurs, and experts who care about Iran and see its immense potential. They stand ready to put in the expertise, the talent and the capital to rebuild our nation and turn it into one of the world's most attractive markets.
(27:04)
Imagine this new Iran, a free and democratic Iran, living at peace with our neighbors, an engine of growth and opportunity in the region, a beacon of culture, innovation, and pride in the world. It is within our reach. We are a proud, ancient, resilient people. The task before us Iranians today is no less than the ones faced by the great leaders, the great unifiers, the great builders of our history like Cyrus the Great. As we embark on the final steps of this path to national revival, to liberation, to peace, we continue to be inspired by him. To my compatriots, this is our moment. I am with you, let us build this new Iran to together. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks so much.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Prince. We're going to take a few questions now. A few people have tapped me on the shoulder. Stuart might have a few.
Stuart Williams (28:40):
Hello, this is Stuart Williams with Agence France-Presse in Paris. Thank you so much for coming here to speak to us directly. You made very clear in your remarks that you don't seek power yourself, but you are ready to lead transition. As you're speaking now, quite frankly in quite concrete terms, what function exactly do you envision yourself possibly as [inaudible 00:28:51] president, as a prince even, Shah? Maybe it's time to start to make that clear.
(28:56)
And also, just if I could ask one more question about some breaking news. You've probably seen that it's confirmed from both the Iranian and Israeli sides today that Evin prison, known to house many political prisoners as well as other prisoners in Tehran, has been bombed. Do you support the striking and targeting of such places which are not connected to the nuclear or ballistic programs? Thank you so much.
Reza Pahlavi (29:17):
Thank you so much. As I said, I'm stepping in to lead this transition. I don't believe I need a title to play that role. The important thing is to be someone who can galvanize the nation, unite as much as possible the majority of democratically-minded, secular forces within the opposition and the political spectrum, as I mentioned. But most importantly, how can we, post-collapse, step into that phase of transition, working together, of course, with many elements who are in Iran today will be joining us in that effort to make sure that we can stabilize the transition phase?
(29:53)
As in the past few hours, as you mentioned, two other targets were hit, which, from the point of view of Iranians, have been part of the regime's means of repression all along, the base of the IRGC that has been always an element of repression together, even though you might think it's symbolic, but it's very meaningful, the doors of Evin prison without harming the prisoners inside. But basically tearing down a wall. And to me, Evin is a prison within a prison, a regime that has taken our countrymen hostage from day one. So I think Iranians are seeing that. I can imagine right now a political prisoner in Evin prison, what he thinks about that.
(30:38)
Our time is coming. Finally, all these moments, all these movements that people have tried to fight and died for fighting an unequal war against an extremely repressive regime, now the regime is even weaker than it was yesterday because two other instruments, one that incarcerate them, another one that strikes them has been eliminated. I think these are things that are, in the view of our people, positive. And they know that this is not targeting our country is targeting our regime, because the only war that matters here is the war that the regime is waging on the Iranian people, and we're talking about winning that war against them.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
[inaudible 00:31:18]. BBC? [inaudible 00:31:27].
Melissa Bell (31:24):
CNN.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
CNN. Sorry, I thought you were BBC. CNN, sorry. Go ahead.
Melissa Bell (31:35):
Hi, Melissa Bell, CNN. I'd like to ask you, you've said that the regime is collapsing. What do you think the role of the American strikes will be? Is there not a danger that they could unite the people behind a regime, however, unpopular it is? And there's a lot of reporting to suggest that people are more clearly opposed at this stage to the war than they are to the regime.
Reza Pahlavi (31:59):
Look, the greatest fear that Iranians today would have is a result of all this for the regime to still survive because they know that the regime will lash out against them in vengeance. As a matter of fact, only in the last few days, the regime has already executed half a people already on the guise of being spies or even being my supporters. The regime is ultimately what people fear the most. They want to make sure that, at the tail end of all this, this regime actually collapses. Which is what I mean by saying don't throw it another lifetime. This regime is on its way down. People know it, and the biggest fear is, what if this regime was to survive? That's why I keep saying this regime must go. The only solution for Iran's liberation and for peace is for this regime to be no longer there. This is an opportunity in front of us, so we are doing what we can as Iranians fighting this brutal regime. It is time for the international community to finally decide whether this time they're going to be with the people and help them overthrow this regime.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Thank you. [inaudible 00:33:16].
Speaker 3 (33:15):
[foreign language 00:33:16].
Speaker 2 (33:42):
There's a microphone over there.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Thank you. [inaudible 00:33:43].
(33:42)
[foreign language 00:33:43].
Reza Pahlavi (33:42):
[foreign language 00:34:02].
Speaker 4 (35:43):
Hello. I work for European. Just one question. We have just learned that Israeli military strikes have hit Evin Prison. What is your reaction about this strike?
Reza Pahlavi (35:58):
I think I answered the question, but I will repeat my answer. This is yet another indication of how the regime and its apparatus of either incarceration or repression has been targeted, and the way people look at it is that another aspect of the regime means oppressing its own people is being neutralized, therefore, opening even more opportunities for them at the right time to step in and move on the final initiative overthrowing this regime.
(36:27)
These are positive elements that the people see finally, the end is near, and gives them more encouragement that now we have a much better chance of succeeding because this regime, every day, is losing more of its apparatus of repression.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
Thank you.
Reza Pahlavi (36:46):
Feel free to ask your question in French as well, if you're more comfortable. I can answer it in French as well.
Speaker 6 (36:50):
[foreign language 00:36:51].
Reza Pahlavi (36:50):
[foreign language 00:37:16].
Speaker 7 (36:50):
[foreign language 00:39:49].
Reza Pahlavi (36:50):
[foreign language 00:40:03].
Tim Ross (36:50):
Hi, Tim Ross from Politico.
Reza Pahlavi (36:50):
Speak louder please.
Tim Ross (41:46):
Tim Ross from Politico. So the United States Secretary of State and the government of Israel have both said that regime change is not a war objective. Would you like regime change to be a war objective, even if that means Israeli and potentially American troops fighting in the streets of Tehran?
Reza Pahlavi (42:03):
My position has always been throughout the years that it is not any foreign government's mission or job or policy to define it as being regime change. The question, however, is for this government to recognize that this is the ask of the Iranian people. And in support of the liberal and democratic aspirations, where do particularly Western democracy stand? Are they going to continue to appease this regime and throw it another lifeline at the expense of the Iranian people?
(42:41)
Or will they this time recognize that this is a golden and historic opportunity to put an end, on the one hand, for a regime that has repressed its own citizenry for its own benefit all these years, but also to put an end to any threat that this regime represents?If America or Israel had to respond under whatever threat, ultimately, they have to recognize that by a change of regime, everything changes.
(43:07)
So it's not that they need to advocate for regime change, it is that they simply have to recognize that regime change is the only ultimate solution, which is exactly why I'm here today and why we need to work together so that we guarantee Iran and Iranians a democratic future, but also through that democratic future, it will give the world a sense of relief and trust that that element will lead to stability, to peace and an end to any aspect that has been threatening and menacing the world and the region because of the nature of this regime.
Speaker 5 (43:41):
[foreign language 00:43:49].
Reza Pahlavi (43:41):
[foreign language 00:45:18].
Speaker 8 (43:41):
[foreign language 00:47:36].
Reza Pahlavi (43:41):
[foreign language 00:48:06].
Rob Hastings (50:01):
Thank you. Rob Hastings from The i Paper in the UK. Our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for deescalation and has suggested that the UK would prefer to see a negotiated end to this current crisis. He hasn't spoken about regime change. President Macron has also distanced himself from the US strikes.
(50:23)
Are you seeking to speak with European leaders like Keir Starmer, like President Macron? What would you say to them in the hope of convincing them to your belief that regime change is needed? And they're not going to change overnight. Where do you see that process going of engaging European skepticism towards regime change?
Reza Pahlavi (50:46):
First of all, I've been giving all these messages to world leaders everywhere for years now, and it's not that they don't know what I have to say or what my message is. What has changed, however, are the circumstances.
Reza Pahlavi (51:01):
… and because the circumstances are now changing in the sense that they visibly see the level of fragmentation of the regime and its mere collapse, which is very near. The fact that the regime is completely dismantled in its apparatus of repression, that until now help it sustain itself. And eliminating the greatest danger to a nation that unarmed are trying to, through civil disobedience and non-violence way, achieve their freedom. The playing field has now been equalized. My message remains the same as it was 20 years ago. But unfortunately the truth is that because the pursuit of appeasement and the fear of a regime that takes hostages and intimidates western governments to have an open dialogue with the force democracy that have always shied away and being fearful of talking to someone like me, I think this is changing now. I think we have much more receptive ears.
(52:05)
What I would like to be able to do given the opportunity, is to explain the mechanics of that change so they understand how we intend to do it, what we propose as an instrument, where can they in fact, facilitate that or assist us, but this is more a discussion for the process. Right now as we speak, let me point to a few issues that are imperative where the world can immediately help us. Has nothing to do with talking about policy of regime change and all that. It has to do with empowering a nation seeking liberty. The regime is at war with its own people. It is trying to take revenge on the people, executing political prisoners, shutting down the internet, even landlines in the last few days. They are waging war against our own people. This regime's biggest fear is not an Israeli attack or an American response.
(52:55)
It's the people themselves that they fear the most. This is what these world leaders have to recognize, that these are people who want to be with you, the free world, and the only obstacle between them and the free world is this regime. So don't be intimidated by the regime menace, trust in the nation that wants peaceful relations with the neighborhood. They're not at war with Israel, they're not at war with the Arabs. They're not at war with America. The regime is a regime that has been chanting death to Israel and death to America for 46 years. The Iranian people say, we want to be friends with the world. We want to have cordial relations. It's up to you world leaders to recognize that potential, to trust the Iranian people in their intentions, and this is what will be the difference. This time, stay on the right side of history.
(53:49)
You have an opportunity today. The worst thing that can happen is for this regime to continue to exist. It is on its way down. We just have to facilitate and expedite the process. So more harm is not done not just to the Iranian nation, but everything that as long as this regime continues to survive, it can still hurt a lot. We have this opportunity. This should be the agenda, not only to eliminate this regime, but also to know that there is a plan for transition. It's not going to be chaos, it's not going to be unknown outcome, but for that, we need to be able to coordinate. I don't think it is any more the question of whether or not or if there should be, but how can we make sure that this is a successful transition? And of course, there will be a need for very serious discussions as to how this or that country can, in a way or not be effective in helping our cause and therefore guaranteeing our success, which is win-win at the end of the day.
Speaker 9 (55:00):
Okay. Last two questions, Channel 12 and Hassan, I'm afraid they been in a lot of time [inaudible 00:55:01], thank you very much.
Elad (55:01):
Hello and thank you for being here today for your courageous stance. I'm Elad from Israeli Channel 12. I wanted to ask you whether you're in contact with any Israeli officials or representatives and how do you picture relations between the two countries in the day after the regime will be changed, and also you've mentioned some of the previous attempts to have a similar unrest to topple the regime that have been unsuccessful. What makes you optimistic that this time will be different? Thank you.
Reza Pahlavi (55:30):
Well, first of all, my team has been, and myself in some cases in contact with representatives of various governments. As you may know, two years ago I traveled to Israel. I met at the top level of leadership over there. There's an obvious understanding of the vision and what could be the future of a different Iran and how does that play to what could be unlike this regime, the future of our region. I mentioned the fact that we do have the Abraham Accords, which of course was sabotaged by the regime. I think we should elevate that to the Cyrus Accords, which includes Iran as a key player into that and making sure that ultimately we finally have a neighborhood that is stable and at peace with one another. This is the vision, and I think this is a message that has resonated very well, at least regionally. But you're right. Is this time different? It is different in the sense that, as I pointed earlier, we have had many uprisings in Iran, at least in the last decade.
(56:29)
The last one being, of course, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and all those brave souls that have died in the process did not need to have a guarantee of success before they committed to it. They are still resilient, they will still continue fighting. But what's different this time? This time, they see that the regime's instrument of repression and terror is being decimated. It's been neutralized, and they understand that this is not a war against them. It's against the regime itself that in fact, it is helping the Iranian people by neutralizing the regime's instrument that so far has been killing left and right our brave compatriots in all of this movement. And this time the Iranian people say, "Maybe we have a chance." Look, we have seen history many times and it's ebbs and flows, right? But ultimately the Berlin Wall came down, the Soviet Union did collapse.
(57:28)
The dissidents in those countries finally got their chance. I'm sure that Nelson Mandela or Lech Walesa could not do this at some point without some level of solidarity, not just as a labor movement in Poland, mind you, solidarity in the sense of the world coming to their systems. And Iranian people are not asking for anyone to do the job for them. All they're saying is that it will be far less costly for us to succeed if this time you are with us as opposed to continue a policy of appeasement and throwing this regime, another lifeline, because what would the regime do with this lifeline? It will retaliate, it will take revenge. It's already trying to do that, so for the sake of the Iranian people and for the sake of the world, we have this opportunity now. We will do whatever it takes as Iranians to fight that fight, but the world needs to consider that the consequence of that change will put an immediate end to all the threats that this regime has represented.
(58:34)
What is the nuclear threat or terrorism or radical ideology spreading and how it's impacting Europe? We see it in many countries and all of that can be reversed. Not only that, but beyond security and stability, economic opportunities, how can Iranians benefit from that? How can the world benefit from that? Because you're no longer dealing with a regime that is a mafia-like corrupt system that plunders our national resources at the expense of the Iranian people to spend it on nuclear programs or supporting its proxies in the region. If we talk about the national government, first and foremost, concern with the prosperity of its own country by means of creating all the opportunities. But also to tell the world, Iran is an, as I said in my speech, it's a huge potential for investment and growth, and that's also an interest of the world, but you're not dealing with a corrupt mafia anymore.
(59:33)
You're dealing with a country that is on terms with all the rules and regulations and principles of standard practice of business and what have you. That changes everything. This is, I think, what the world needs to be focused now. How can we make sure that this is the ultimate outcome? So we have a job to do, and I hope that through this dialogue and working beyond what we had to do as Iranians among ourselves, how can we communicate and explain to the world this is how you can help us now and in the long term, what opportunities will be created through the world? That's pretty much, I think, the course of action that we will see in the next few months, and of course there will be much more for us to explain to all of you, but this is where we are at this stage.
Speaker 9 (01:00:15):
Okay. Last question on Katie from The Sun.
Katie Davis (01:00:19):
Thank you. Yes, Katie Davis from The Sun. How much of a threat does the Iranian regime pose in its current wounded state? Could we see them perhaps deploy a dirty bomb or even a hastily constructed nuclear weapon?
Reza Pahlavi (01:00:29):
I'm sorry. I did understand the first part. Could you repeat your question please?
Katie Davis (01:00:33):
So my question is how much of a danger does the Iranian regime pose right now in its current wounded state? Could we see them perhaps deploy a dirty bomb or a hastily constructed nuclear weapon?
Reza Pahlavi (01:00:43):
Well, as far as the existing infrastructure that the regime has had, clearly has been severely damaged or curtailed, but as I explained in my speech, just because you have struck the key areas of development or enrichment doesn't mean that the nuclear threat is gone. As I said, they can go and purchase it from the North Koreans, for example. The point is that the finger on the trigger is ultimately the menace, that as long as regime continues to exist, we should not fall under the false premise that because we've hit or neutralized the nuclear enrichment plants or what have you, the threat is gone. For a while it may be, for a while it might have delayed it, but as long as this regime continues to exist like a bad weed, it will keep popping up in your backyard. We need to make sure that it's completely eradicated.
(01:01:31)
That's the ultimate guarantee, which is why now that we have this opportunity, now that the regime has been severely, severely emasculated, if I could call it that. When the key instrument of repression and control and surveillance or whatever it is that a totalitarian regime utilizes against its own citizenry and is a menace to the world that is on the verge of collapse, recognize that this is a perfect window. Because I always said we should not jump to the conclusion that because diplomacy has failed, then we have to engage in conflict. I've always argued in all these years, many of you have heard me say that, why not the third way, which means the Iranian people are your alternative. You're not only limited to say, "Because we can't talk sense to them, we have to go and bomb the hell out of them." This is an opportunity to recognize that the regime is so weakened.
(01:02:22)
Let make the people of Iran the ultimate guarantee by investing on them rather than hoping that through negotiations you can come to terms with a regime that is in its DNA simply cannot comply with your expectation. We need to gravitate and have a shift of vision and strategy on that, and that's exactly what I begin to detect. I begin to detect more and more coming from governments that until now we're just stuck on that status quo and that they're thinking finally that things can change. We have to be able to anticipate a change in Iran and what do we need to do for that. That's, I think for me, a positive development. Thank you.
Speaker 9 (01:03:02):
Thank you. Great.
Reza Pahlavi (01:03:03):
Thank you all. Thanks so much. Thank you.
Speaker 9 (01:03:03):
If you have any other questions, we're over here and [inaudible 01:03:15]. Thank you very much for coming, really appreciate it.
