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AsiaOne
24-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'Regime change' is only solution in Iran, Shah's son says, Asia News
PARIS — The last heir to the Iranian monarchy urged Western states on Monday (June 23) to accept that the collapse of the current Iranian authorities is necessary to deliver lasting peace and regional stability. The United States, which bombed Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, has said it wants to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, not to open a wider war. Officials in Washington said the goal of the US bombing was not "regime change" but, in a social media post on Sunday, US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Iran's hardline clerical rulers being toppled. "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. The destruction of the regime's nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace," Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the toppled Shah, told a press conference in Paris. "You are right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability, but only a democratic transition in Iran can ensure these goals are achieved and are lasting." The Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Pahlavi's remarks. Pahlavi has lived in exile for nearly four decades, since his father, the US-backed shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is unclear how much support Pahlavi has in Iran. Many Iranians remember the Shah's repressive secret police, Savak, and there have been pro- and anti-monarchy slogans during mass demonstrations in Iran in the past. Without providing evidence, Pahlavi, who is based in Washington, said the ruling system in Iran was collapsing and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family and other senior officials were making preparations to flee the country. [[nid:719414]] "This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes fraught with danger," he said, referring to the collapse of the wall that divided East and West Berlin in 1989 as the Soviet-led Communist bloc crumbled. Fragmented opposition Iran and Israel have been waging an air war since Israel launched airstrikes on June 13, saying it wanted to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. Asked whether he wanted to lead a future transition or be a new Shah, Pahlavi said he was not seeking political power. He said he saw the cornerstone of a transition based on Iran's territorial integrity, individual freedoms and equality of all citizens, as well as separation of religion and state. Opposition to Iran's clerical government is fragmented, with no clear recognised leader and a multitude of ethnic groups. Pahlavi said his teams were working on a future economic plan and that he wanted to convene a national unity gathering that would include activists, dissidents and groups from across the ideological spectrum to agree on the transition principles. It would also bring together business leaders, professionals and experts, he said, without giving a time frame. He said he had also created a platform for Iranian security, police and military officials to join him if they wanted to abandon the government. Asked about hesitations among some Western leaders over the potential consequences of the authorities collapsing, he said: "It's not that they need to advocate for regime change. It is that they simply have to recognise that regime change is the only ultimate solution." [[nid:719421]]
AsiaOne
24-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'Regime change' is only solution in Iran, Shah's son says, World News
PARIS — The last heir to the Iranian monarchy urged Western states on Monday (June 23) to accept that the collapse of the current Iranian authorities is necessary to deliver lasting peace and regional stability. The United States, which bombed Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, has said it wants to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, not to open a wider war. Officials in Washington said the goal of the US bombing was not "regime change" but, in a social media post on Sunday, US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Iran's hardline clerical rulers being toppled. "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. The destruction of the regime's nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace," Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the toppled Shah, told a press conference in Paris. "You are right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability, but only a democratic transition in Iran can ensure these goals are achieved and are lasting." The Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Pahlavi's remarks. Pahlavi has lived in exile for nearly four decades, since his father, the US-backed shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is unclear how much support Pahlavi has in Iran. Many Iranians remember the Shah's repressive secret police, Savak, and there have been pro- and anti-monarchy slogans during mass demonstrations in Iran in the past. Without providing evidence, Pahlavi, who is based in Washington, said the ruling system in Iran was collapsing and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family and other senior officials were making preparations to flee the country. [[nid:719414]] "This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes fraught with danger," he said, referring to the collapse of the wall that divided East and West Berlin in 1989 as the Soviet-led Communist bloc crumbled. Fragmented opposition Iran and Israel have been waging an air war since Israel launched airstrikes on June 13, saying it wanted to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. Asked whether he wanted to lead a future transition or be a new Shah, Pahlavi said he was not seeking political power. He said he saw the cornerstone of a transition based on Iran's territorial integrity, individual freedoms and equality of all citizens, as well as separation of religion and state. Opposition to Iran's clerical government is fragmented, with no clear recognised leader and a multitude of ethnic groups. Pahlavi said his teams were working on a future economic plan and that he wanted to convene a national unity gathering that would include activists, dissidents and groups from across the ideological spectrum to agree on the transition principles. It would also bring together business leaders, professionals and experts, he said, without giving a time frame. He said he had also created a platform for Iranian security, police and military officials to join him if they wanted to abandon the government. Asked about hesitations among some Western leaders over the potential consequences of the authorities collapsing, he said: "It's not that they need to advocate for regime change. It is that they simply have to recognise that regime change is the only ultimate solution." [[nid:719421]]
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Regime change' is only solution in Iran, Shah's son says
By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) -The last heir to the Iranian monarchy urged Western states on Monday to accept that the collapse of the current Iranian authorities is necessary to deliver lasting peace and regional stability. The United States, which bombed Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, has said it wants to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, not to open a wider war. Officials in Washington said the goal of the U.S. bombing was not "regime change" but, in a social media post on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Iran's hardline clerical rulers being toppled. "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. The destruction of the regime's nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace," Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the toppled Shah, told a press conference in Paris. "You are right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability, but only a democratic transition in Iran can ensure these goals are achieved and are lasting." The Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Pahlavi's remarks. Pahlavi has lived in exile for nearly four decades, since his father, the U.S.-backed shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is unclear how much support Pahlavi has in Iran. Many Iranians remember the Shah's repressive secret police, Savak, and there have been pro- and anti-monarchy slogans during mass demonstrations in Iran in the past. Without providing evidence, Pahlavi, who is based in Washington, said the ruling system in Iran was collapsing and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family and other senior officials were making preparations to flee the country. "This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes fraught with danger," he said, referring to the collapse of the wall that divided East and West Berlin in 1989 as the Soviet-led Communist bloc crumbled. FRAGMENTED OPPOSITION Iran and Israel have been waging an air war since Israel launched airstrikes on June 13, saying it wanted to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. Asked whether he wanted to lead a future transition or be a new Shah, Pahlavi said he was not seeking political power. He said he saw the cornerstone of a transition based on Iran's territorial integrity, individual freedoms and equality of all citizens, as well as separation of religion and state. Opposition to Iran's clerical government is fragmented, with no clear recognised leader and a multitude of ethnic groups. Pahlavi said his teams were working on a future economic plan and that he wanted to convene a national unity gathering that would include activists, dissidents and groups from across the ideological spectrum to agree on the transition principles. It would also bring together business leaders, professionals and experts, he said, without giving a time frame. He said he had also created a platform for Iranian security, police and military officials to join him if they wanted to abandon the government. Asked about hesitations among some Western leaders over the potential consequences of the authorities collapsing, he said: "It's not that they need to advocate for regime change. It is that they simply have to recognise that regime change is the only ultimate solution."
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘Regime change' is only solution in Iran, Shah's son says
Asked whether he wanted to lead a future transition or be a new Shah, Mr Reza Pahlavi said he was not seeking political power. PHOTO: REUTERS 'Regime change' is only solution in Iran, Shah's son says Follow our live coverage here. PARIS - The last heir to the Iranian monarchy urged Western states on June 23 to accept that the collapse of the current Iranian authorities is necessary to deliver lasting peace and regional stability. The United States, which bombed Iranian nuclear sites on June 21, has said it wants to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, not to open a wider war. Officials in Washington said the goal of the US bombing was not "regime change" but, in a social media post on June 22, US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Iran's hardline clerical rulers being toppled. "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. The destruction of the regime's nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace," Mr Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the toppled Shah, told a press conference in Paris. "You are right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability, but only a democratic transition in Iran can ensure these goals are achieved and are lasting." The Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Mr Pahlavi's remarks. Mr Pahlavi has lived in exile for nearly four decades, since his father, the US-backed shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is unclear how much support Mr Pahlavi has in Iran. Many Iranians remember the Shah's repressive secret police, Savak, and there have been pro- and anti-monarchy slogans during mass demonstrations in Iran in the past. Without providing evidence, Mr Pahlavi, who is based in Washington, said the ruling system in Iran was collapsing and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family and other senior officials were making preparations to flee the country. "This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes fraught with danger," he said, referring to the collapse of the wall that divided East and West Berlin in 1989 as the Soviet-led Communist bloc crumbled. Fragmented opposition Iran and Israel have been waging an air war since Israel launched airstrikes on June 13, saying it wanted to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. Asked whether he wanted to lead a future transition or be a new Shah, Mr Pahlavi said he was not seeking political power. He said he saw the cornerstone of a transition based on Iran's territorial integrity, individual freedoms and equality of all citizens, as well as separation of religion and state. Opposition to Iran's clerical government is fragmented, with no clear recognised leader and a multitude of ethnic groups. Mr Pahlavi said his teams were working on a future economic plan and that he wanted to convene a national unity gathering that would include activists, dissidents and groups from across the ideological spectrum to agree on the transition principles. It would also bring together business leaders, professionals and experts, he said, without giving a time frame. He said he had also created a platform for Iranian security, police and military officials to join him if they wanted to abandon the government. Asked about hesitations among some Western leaders over the potential consequences of the authorities collapsing, he said: "It's not that they need to advocate for regime change. It is that they simply have to recognise that regime change is the only ultimate solution." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: $200m wasted each day by Israel on missile attacks, all the while global poverty persists
Between the Russian-Ukraine and the Gaza wars, the cost must now be astronomical. The human cost in these wars is either incalculable, or is of no concern to the warmongers. It is hard to imagine that it is easy to procure money for war, yet so difficult to procure money for food and health in impoverished nations – funding that would provide a greater chance of a peaceful world. The silence of world leaders is deafening on this massive disparity. The question is: Do financial benefits for some obviate the death and suffering that munitions inflict upon human beings? Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia Excuses for war on Iran are not merited and evoke echoes of Iraq invasion Israel has been claiming for many years that Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb. The evidence for this is far from clear-cut. In fact, Benjamin Netanyahu's pretext for war increasingly resembles the infamous 'weapons of mass destruction' allegation used to justify the US invasion of Iraq. However, it is widely acknowledged, but often left unsaid, that Israel itself has a considerable stockpile of nuclear weapons. Estimates suggest it has more than 90 nuclear warheads. Who knows the actual number? The Israeli state has never signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Iran is controlled by a vicious, oppressive regime, but the suggestion from the US and others that Israel is on the side of the angels in this conflict is plainly ludicrous. Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin Here's hoping if Ayatollah Khamenei is overthrown a president will be elected Whether the Islamic Republic of Iran survives under the leadership of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or another clerical figure, Iran certainly doesn't need a return of the Pahlavi dynasty that ruled the nation between 1925 and 1979. Iran's last shah was a despot whose 1941 to 1979 rule was enforced by his notorious secret police, Savak, from 1953 until he was overthrown. Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has no place on the Peacock Throne. If change does occur in Iran, hopefully a democratically elected president will be the choice of the people. Finally, it would be in the Middle East's best interests if Benjamin Netanyahu could submit himself to the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity committed against the innocent Palestinian people. Dominic Shelmerdine, London Starmer stoops too low for Trump as American ideals drift away from Europe Frank Coughlan rightly bristles at the image of Keir Starmer stooping to gather Donald Trump's dropped papers – a moment of awkward courtesy that risks becoming a metaphor for European diplomacy ('Europe should neither bow nor bend to bully boy Trump', June 20). But beneath the theatre lies a deeper truth: the post-World War II order where Europe leaned on American strength while lecturing it on restraint is in terminal decline. America's global leadership is no longer anchored in shared ideals, but in transactional nationalism. Trump embodies this shift, but it won't end with him. The next era of geopolitics will be defined not by Atlantic unity, but by cold, conditional alliances based on cost-benefit calculation. I suspect that by 2030 we'll see a Europe that either relearns strategic autonomy – investing in its own defence, industrial capacity and global leverage – or one that fragments into spheres of influence too dependent to push back, too divided to act. The choice will have been made not at summits, but in the small moments when leaders kneel instead of standing. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh If the willpower is there, infrastructure logjams in the State can be cleared This week, senator Michael McDowell urged the Government to replicate a piece of legislation from 1925 that the fledgling Free State government enacted to build the massive Ardnacrusha electricity station on the Shannon. It covered the state financing of the project, the CPO-ing of land, construction of canals and so forth. This is the way, he suggested, to overcome the administrative sclerosis blocking the construction of the north Dublin sewage treatment plant, the piping of water from the Shannon to Dublin, talked about for nearly 30 years, the building of vitally needed onshore and offshore wind-energy farms, as well as key road and rail projects. Meanwhile, every government member, from the Taoiseach down, and the heads of the various state infrastructural agencies (EirGrid, ESB, Uisce Éireann, transport agencies) acknowledge the dire consequences of not resolving these logjams, and the fact that the existing permitting systems are not for purpose. Last month, the Government launched its new Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce to underline this fact. But this will be little more than the latest episode of 'kicking the can down the road' unless the Government undertakes the kind of bold legislative initiative urged by Mr McDowell. So, could it happen? Well, this week the Government was able to draft, pass and have enacted a bill extending Rent Pressure Zones to the whole country. Where there's a will, there's a way. Stephen O'Byrnes, Dublin 4 Spare a thought – and some water – for wildlife during this hot weather It's hot out there, so please remember a dish of fresh water for the birds, and if you're lucky enough to have them, a dish of fresh water for the hedgehogs as well. Eve Parnell, Dublin 2 Be careful with your words as they can do harm and have dark consequences Our workplaces, schools and homes are filled with hurtful words. Words are powerful weapons and can be used in the most hurtful way to harm another person and trigger a journey on a downward spiral. We need to think before we speak. Let's use words to be kind to one another.
