Iran’s Crown Prince Pahlavi: Civil Disobedience for a Free Iran – Breitbart News

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The crown prince is the son of Irans last king, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. He is the president of the National Council for Free Elections in Iran.

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We realize that the current regime is not going to voluntarily leave the scene, which is why we have put together a campaign of resistance and civil disobedience, Pahlavi told Breitbart News. And thats why weve been in contact with a variety of secularists within Iran representing all sorts of views from workers to teachers to labor unions to other organizations.

Adelle Nazarian of Breitbart News interviews Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. (Photo: Breitbart News)

Over half of Irans population is under the age of 40. The crown prince noted that the advent of social media and technology is a priceless tool inthe quest for freedom. And fortunately in this world of social media and Internet communication most of the give and take happens by means that were not available 20 years ago, he said.

Pahlavi recentlypenned a letter to President Donald Trump congratulating him on his victory. Asked how he views Trump and his administration with regard to U.S.-Iran relations, he said, I think the current president has indicated that he wants to be much more in support of strengthening the peoples hand and, at the same time, weakening the regime. And I think thats exactly what we were hoping to hear.

He said this rhetoric and support should not be limited to the U.S, adding that hes always advocated that the empowerment of any people is always the best solution at the end, especially when they have to fight very oppressive regimes. So, engaging with the people, helping civil society in these countries, is the quickest path to maximizing the success of such nations to overcome whatever struggle they are facing.

Irans former recently died. The businessmanhad a checkered political past and was considered the father of Irans nuclear program. While some within the regime described his as a man of peace, he was better remembered by many of the Iranian people as an oppressor and for having orchestrated several international terrorist atrocities.

The crown prince also commented on the recent death of Irans former president, Hashami Rafsanjani, who was described in the media as a man of peace but who was the father of Irans nuclear program, as well as an oppressive ruler. Pahlavi compared Rafsanjanis death to the passing of Cubas late dictator Fidel Castro: Its not the same anymore, no matter how many more junior cadres remain. And in that sense, more of a void will be created. He noted the importance of making sure that the void is filled with the proper alternative. Thats something everyone should be concerned with.

Earlier Monday evening, Pahlavi addressed a private audienceandurged civil disobedience by means of non-violence.

Reza Pahlavi (middle) receiving key to the city from currentBeverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch (right) and former mayor Lili Bosse (left). (Photo: Breitbart News)

Although he did not mention President Barack Obama by name, the crown prince said, When you fight extremely brutal regimes, such movements cannot succeed without having tacit support from other freedom-loving countries and governments. His words evoked memories of the failure of the Obama administration to provide much-needed support to the ailing Iranian people during the 2009 Green Revolution and the stolen election that fueled it.

With Rafsanjanis death, however, the crown prince noted that the regime is pretty much beginning to show indications of fragmentation, going eventually towards their collapse. He noted the importance of making sure that the path to the alternative is as smooth as possible and that complete measures are taken to make sure that a dictatorship willnot be replaced by another one. And that, indeed, it is the people who will triumph and nobody else.

Asked if the crown prince would consider taking on an elected or lineal leadership role in his country of birth, and the land where his father reigned as its last king, Pahlavi said:

Ive always said this is not about me. Its about the Iranian people and their opportunity to finally get self-determination and freedom. Thats my only objective at this point. And the day that we have free elections will be the day I will consider my political mission in life accomplished. From that day on, I cannot tell you now what the circumstances will be. Ive always said that Im ready to serve my country, in whatever capacity that my constituents choose.

Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter and Periscope@AdelleNaz

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Iran's Crown Prince Pahlavi: Civil Disobedience for a Free Iran - Breitbart News

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