The current U.S.-Iran agreement will merely allow the Tehran government to recover and rebuild itself, stated Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's final Shah and head of the exiled opposition, during an exclusive conversation with Euronews.
Policies that allow former rulers to remain in control aren't true agreements for peace," Pahlavi stated to Euronews. "They're just a break between conflicts.
The document was finalized on 17 June, three and a half months following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and various high-ranking figures, triggering a conflict that spread more widely across the area.
Regarding Pahlavi, Tehran's true objectives became evident only hours following the signing of the agreement, when Iran carried out the execution of Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi, who were held captive during the nationwide demonstrations in January.
Pahlavi stated, 'The sole beneficiary of this agreement is the government.' 'On the very day it affixed its signature to this paper claiming 'peace,' it carried out two additional Iranians who were demonstrating on January 8th and 9th. This alone conveys all the information necessary.'
To negotiate an agreement with a government he claimed had killed over 40,000 of its citizens within two days, was "ethically inappropriate and tactically unwise," he stated.
"It offers a lifeline to a collapsing government, which will utilize the break to rebuild and strengthen itself. It has done so previously," Pahlavi explained.
Following widespread demonstrations triggered by abrupt hyperinflation in late December, which expanded across the whole nation the next month, the Tehran government launched a violent suppression of protesters, leading to an estimated number of fatalities that remains difficult to confirm independently.
The Iranian government reports the number at 3,117, whereas the human rights organization HRANA states it has confirmed 7,007 deaths. Some unofficial figures suggest the toll could be as high as 40,000.
As per Pahlavi, this strongly demonstrates that the leadership of the Islamic Republic lacks credibility.
"This regime lies and cheats, as it always has. It signs documents to buy time. A wounded regime is a dangerous regime, and it will lash out at the first opportunity."
Stability doesn't mean replacing one authoritarian leader with another.
Within the terms of the agreement, the truce between Washington and Tehran has been prolonged for an additional 60 days, allowing both parties to work towards reaching a comprehensive settlement on outstanding matters, particularly concerning Iran's atomic energy program.
The United States has temporarily halted restrictions on Iranian oil, and both parties have pledged to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible for maritime traffic.
The deal has later faced challenges due to Tehran's push for complete authority over the crucial strait, while occasional clashes between the parties have cast doubt on it.
Although discussions have remained ongoing—with each party engaging in technical meetings along with supporting nations—conflicting remarks have contributed to instability.
According to Pahlavi's perspective, this has rendered the Islamic Republic more perilous than at any previous time.
"Ailing authority poses significant risks, as it tends to retaliate when given the chance. Therefore, regardless of whether the text remains for 60 days or gets prolonged, it does not alter the core issues," Pahlavi stated.
Iran's government will restart its nuclear program, restore its allied groups, and plunge the region back into conflict at the earliest opportunity.
According to Pahlavi, stability in the area can be attained "under only one condition," which is "the conclusion of the Islamic Republic."
The regime's beliefs, its Revolutionary Guard Corps hierarchy, and its network of proxies are all integral parts of the system," he stated. "It's impossible to replace one aggressive, war-loving leader with another and still claim peace.
A liberated Iran, in comparison, would signify "endless support for Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis, cessation of efforts toward nuclear arms, peaceful relations with Israel, and collaboration with Iran's neighboring countries," Pahlavi stated. "This represents the sole lasting basis for the area. Any less than this serves as an indicator leading towards the subsequent conflict."
The individual known as Pahlavi, whose name was shouted by demonstrators in January, referred to the Iranian population as the regime's "primary and most enduring" victims and also its strongest adversaries.
They remained in the streets, confronted gunfire, and called for liberty in a nation where merely uttering that term could result in death," he stated. "They didn’t seek approval from the global community.
I'm not merely hopeful; I'm confident. No matter what officials in overseas capitals choose, the populace will topple this regime," Pahlavi stated. "The government is now weaker, more fractured, and more cut off from the world than ever before in its history. It has completely lost any remaining authority.
The financial struggles they face, he claimed, are "the price of sustaining this government, rather than the expense of ending it."
"A liberated Iran could emerge as the South Korea of this area, thriving and peaceful. Our strength lies in the solidarity of the populace. We shall succeed," Pahlavi stated.
Europeans should cease accommodating the government" "Europeans need to halt their concessions to the regime" "It's time for Europeans to stop yielding to the administration" "Europeans must end their compliance with the ruling authority" "European nations ought to discontinue supporting the current leadership
Pahlavi directed some of his most severe critiques toward European governments, whom he claimed were accommodating Tehran despite the regime's actions of targeting dissenters within Europe, holding Europeans hostage, and supplying Russia with drones utilized in attacks against Ukraine.
"It should not be viewed as far-off geopolitical issues for Europe," he stated.
"The government boasts of the killings it has carried out on European territory. The regime operates illegal network groups throughout the continent, kills critics on European streets, abducts Europeans, and delivers drones to Putin that are currently targeting Ukrainians," Pahlavi stated.
That's their way. It has always been this way. And it continues today.
In February, the EU designated the IRGC as a terror group, yet throughout the latest conflict, European nations restricted their responses to denouncing Iranian attacks against neighboring countries without engaging militarily with Washington.
As per Pahlavi, this is insufficient because up until now Europe "has not merely neglected dealing with this danger, but has repeatedly worked in favor of the Islamic Republic's goals."
Currently, the decision confronting European governments is not about war versus peace, but rather "between an aging regime that poses a threat to everyone, and a liberated Iran that could emerge as a collaborator for stability," he stated.
Pahlavi asserted, 'European governments should cease catering to this regime.'
"Remove the regime's envoys. Do not recognize any agreement that maintains the IRGC-led power system. It's not only for our benefit, but also for the safety and well-being of Europe itself," he stated.