Prince Reza Pahlavi told 60 Minutes he believes the Islamic Republic is unraveling and that the moment may be right for Iranians to push for a democratic transition.
Speaking from Paris, the 65-year-old who left Iran in 1979 described a mood of elation among many inside the country. He said recent dramatic developments — including reports about the supreme leader’s health and widespread unrest — have created a sense of opportunity for those who want to remove what he called a monstrous system. Pahlavi recalled mass protests earlier in the year and criticized the regime’s violent response, citing estimates that as many as 20,000 people were killed in the crackdown and saying many Iranians are prepared to return to the streets despite the risks.
On his own role, Pahlavi rejected a return to monarchy or a bid for the presidency. Instead, he presented himself as a potential transitional leader: someone Iranians can trust to steer the country from theocratic rule to a place where citizens can freely choose their leaders. He described his mission as facilitating conditions for a free, democratic process to determine Iran’s future.
He outlined four principles he believes should guide any post-regime transition:
– Respect for Iran’s territorial integrity.
– A clear separation of religion and state, which he says is essential to democracy and a rejection of religious dictatorship.
– Equality before the law and strong protections for individual liberties.
– A democratic process that allows citizens to decide how they want to be governed.
On security and foreign policy, Pahlavi argued that Iran should abandon any efforts to weaponize its nuclear program, saying the country has no need for nuclear arms. He also voiced a desire for peaceful ties and strategic cooperation with Israel, pointing to historical examples of Iran offering refuge to Jews during World War II and arguing that cooperation would serve regional interests.
Pahlavi proposed a form of national reconciliation for members of the security forces and the military who refuse to carry out repression: conditional amnesty for those who choose not to enforce violent measures, alongside a clear appeal for those forces to decide whether to stand with the people or remain loyal to the regime.
He acknowledged contacts with U.S. officials, including members of Congress, and expressed gratitude to then-President Trump for actions he believes affected the situation in Iran. Still, Pahlavi emphasized that foreign endorsement is secondary; what matters most, he said, is support from millions of Iranians inside and outside the country who call for change and view him as a bridge toward democratic choice.
Addressing criticism tied to his father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, he noted the former shah’s association with repression and extravagance before 1979. Pahlavi said his father left the country voluntarily to avoid bloodshed and argued that many Iranians today — including people once imprisoned under the shah — now back the idea of his playing a transitional role because he is not connected to the current regime.
He closed with an appeal to Iranians to move from wishing for change to believing it is attainable: have faith in their ability to secure a democratic future, prepare for the moment to act together, and seize the opportunity when it arrives.