In an exclusive Paris interview with AFP, Farah Pahlavi, the 87-year-old widow of Iran’s last Shah, has delivered a powerful statement regarding the ongoing protest movement challenging Iran’s clerical establishment. The former empress, who was exiled alongside her husband during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, expressed unwavering conviction that the Iranian people would ultimately achieve victory in their struggle for freedom.
Seated before Iran’s former imperial flag adorned with the lion and sun emblem, Pahlavi articulated her profound connection to the protestors, particularly emphasizing her maternal bond with the youth leading the demonstrations. She revealed her deepest personal longing to return to Iran after 47 years in exile, stating, “My desire and my need today are to return to Iran and to hold these exceptional children in my arms.”
The nationwide protests, which initially emerged in response to economic grievances in late December, rapidly evolved into a direct challenge against the Islamic Republic’s four-decade rule. Pahlavi acknowledged the severe government crackdown that international rights organizations report has resulted in thousands of casualties, yet she maintained that the movement had reached an irreversible point. “One thing is now certain: there is no turning back,” she declared. “This path is one-way—it leads to freedom—and every day, tragically, it is drenched in the blood of the daughters and sons of this land.”
Regarding the role of external opposition, Pahlavi outlined two critical responsibilities: maintaining strong connections between Iranians inside the country and international communities, while simultaneously organizing global demonstrations to raise awareness about the situation. When questioned about potential foreign military intervention, she instead appealed for continued international solidarity and support, emphasizing that a democratic Iran would contribute to regional stability.
Concerning her son Reza Pahlavi’s potential political role, the former empress emphasized that any position would be determined solely by the Iranian people’s will, noting that her son views himself primarily as a spokesperson for young Iranians until freedom is achieved.