Iran’s Pahlavi calls on EU to put more pressure on Tehran
Iran’s Pahlavi calls on EU to put more pressure on Tehran
The son of former Shah of Iran, and best-known representatives of the Iranian opposition, has urged the European Union to take a tougher stance against the leadership in Tehran.
Reza Pahlavi said this during a visit to the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Pahlavi called on the EU to cut off networks and expel diplomats, to step up economic pressure through sanctions and to work with technology companies to ensure internet access for Iranians.
He urged the EU to show the same resolve when dealing with Iran as it does with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s last Shah, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He has lived in exile in the United States for decades.
He holds the leadership in Tehran responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, and has put himself forward as a transitional leader, though his role remains controversial within the opposition.
Monarchist groups support him, while others reject any return to monarchy or leadership by members of the former ruling family.
Pahlavi is due to accept the 2026 Freedom Prize of Germany’s Friedrich Naumann Foundation on behalf of the Iranian people on Saturday.
Some Iranian organisations and former prisoners from the Shah era have criticised the decision to hand over the award to Pahlavi.
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However, in a comment with dpa the son of the former Shah stressed that he was “merely the custodian of this award,”
He praised the liberal foundation for heeding his call to action, accusing critics of spreading propaganda narratives.
The Freedom Prize has been awarded every two years since 2006 in recognition of outstanding commitment to a liberal civil society.
The awards ceremony is due to take place in Frankfurt.(dpa/NAN)
Iran’s Pahlavi calls on EU to put more pressure on Tehran
