Son of late Shah warns against deal with Tehran

LONDON: The son of the ousted shah of Iran spoke out Tuesday against any deal with Iran that leaves the Islamic government in place, as Washington prepared to sign an agreement with Tehran.

Speaking after meeting MPs during a visit to London, 65-year-old Reza Pahlavi said the international community should back opposition protesters rather than making peace with Iran.

“Dealing with this regime will fail and we will all face the consequences,” he declared in a social media post.

“The regime’s 47-year war against the Iranian people continues. Just as it has never made peace with its own citizens, it will never truly make peace with the world,” he said.

Pahlavi’s father, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was the last shah of Iran, who fled into exile in 1979 ahead of an Islamic revolution that overthrew he monarchy and died in exile soon afterwards.

For some — but far from all — opponents of the Islamic republic, the exiled crown prince is an inspirational figure, and he has called for nationwide referendum to establish a new system of government.

He also remains controversial — criticised for his support of Israel and for not distancing himself from his father’s autocratic rule.

On Feb 28, US and Israeli planes and missiles struck Iran, killing the supreme leader Ali Khamenei, plunging the Middle East into conflict and for a while giving hope to the opposition that the government could fall.

Now, on Friday, Washington and Tehran are due to sign a deal meant to end the conflict and clear the way for settlement talks that are expected to leave the government in place and lift some economic sanctions.

“Any agreement that preserves this regime or its remnants will fail. The Iranian people will not accept it,” Pahlavi warned.

“With or without international support, the people of Iran will overthrow this regime. Freedom will come to Iran.”