Just weeks ago in Munich, I spoke with Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah and a leading figure of the Iranian opposition in exile. At the time, Iran was enduring a brutal crackdown on protesters. Since our conversation, regional tensions have escalated further, with Israel and the U.S. launching military action.
We discussed the scale of repression, Iranian resilience, and what the world must do to support their fight for freedom.
A Nation Under Brutal Repression
Pahlavi described the crackdown as extraordinarily violent and indiscriminate. At minimum, tens of thousands have been killed in Tehran alone, with some estimates suggesting higher numbers. Arrests exceed 40,000, and many women have been subjected to sexual violence while in detention. The regime has pursued people even in hospitals, leaving a trail of widespread fear and suffering.
Despite this, the Iranian people continue to resist. Protesters chant from rooftops nightly, and diaspora communities worldwide, from Australia to Canada to Europe, have organized demonstrations to support the uprising. Pahlavi framed the situation as a form of occupation, with citizens facing a regime that holds overwhelming power. He argued that only international action could level the playing field, reduce casualties, and provide Iranians the opportunity to rise against oppression.
Traditional Media Silence
Pahlavi criticized the mainstream media for failing to cover the scale of the atrocities. He noted that the war in Gaza received global attention for years, with regular protests across European capitals, yet over 30,000 deaths in Iran in just a few days were largely ignored. Social media has been crucial, allowing diaspora members and dissidents to document atrocities, including videos of IRGC forces driving over protesters.
The Iranian diaspora has also held protests worldwide, often displaying the Lion and Sun flag of Iran. Pahlavi, whose own family lived in exile, found these demonstrations deeply moving, reflecting the shared experience of displacement and resistance. He argued that the silence of traditional media leaves a moral vacuum, with some outlets appearing to play into the regime’s hands, whether through ignorance or by design.
What the West Can and Must Do
Pahlavi outlined specific measures for the international community:
Humanitarian and armed intervention to neutralize instruments of repression, including the IRGC and other groups responsible for killings.
Economic sanctions and asset freezes to prevent funding of the regime’s security apparatus.
Diplomatic and legal action, including expelling diplomats, closing embassies, and prosecuting officials responsible for crimes against humanity.
Ensuring connectivity so that Iranians maintain access to the internet and communication networks.
Recognition of a transitional government aligned with the aspirations of the Iranian people.
He also highlighted Iran’s role in regional instability. The regime exports its influence through proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, while maintaining networks in Europe and even Latin America targeting journalists, dissidents, and minority communities. Pahlavi emphasized that Iran’s support for terror and extremism diverts attention from its domestic oppression, creating instability that serves the regime’s survival.
He warned that Europe has been slow to recognize threats such as the IRGC and the Muslim Brotherhood, despite the designation of these groups as terrorist organizations by the United States and many majority-Muslim countries. Pahlavi attributed this delay to naivete, lack of firsthand understanding, or political calculation, noting that radical ideologies have now begun to manifest on European soil.
A Vision for a Free Iran
Pahlavi reflected on the personal cost of exile, explaining that he would not have survived in Iran but that the nation now calls for his leadership. He emphasized a vision for a secular, democratic Iran that guarantees justice, equality, and the protection of minorities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
He warned the West not to tolerate radical ideologies under the guise of cultural sensitivity. Mass migration and extremism, he argued, are intertwined with the persistence of oppressive regimes in the Middle East, including Iran. He stressed that the lessons of Iran’s current crisis could guide Europe, which must confront ideological threats before they take root.
Pahlavi concluded by emphasizing Iranian agency: the people will fight for their freedom regardless of external support, but international action can reduce casualties and accelerate the transition. He called this moment in history a critical opportunity for the world to stand on the side of justice, support a people yearning for freedom, and counter the destructive influence of extremist ideologies both in Iran and globally.
