Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Iranian Shah, has urged his followers to maintain a moderate approach when engaging in political discourse with other opposition groups. Speaking to the “Welt”, Pahlavi noted that some statements made within his own circles have violated his “code of conduct” during the debate surrounding the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation Freedom Prize. He expects decency, respect for others, tolerance, and the defense of free speech from his supporters, emphasizing that various elements of the opposition must not fight among themselves. He stressed the need for unity, stating, “We must stand together, because our only enemy is the regime in Iran. That is my clear instruction to my supporters.”
Pahlavi accepted the award on Saturday on behalf of the Iranian people. The Foundation’s decision has drawn criticism, partly due to the autocratic rule of his father, Shah Mohammad Reza, who governed Iran until the 1979 Revolution. Critics, such as writer Ronya Othmann, have faced severe verbal attacks on social media, ranging from insults to threats of rape and murder.
While acknowledging that his detractors may also include extremists who engage in similar aggressive verbal behavior, Pahlavi insists that this does not excuse the actions of his own followers. He specifically condemned cries like “Death to the Left” heard at rallies attended by his supporters.
