Reza Pahlavi drives 'No to the Islamic Republic' campaign

Reza Pahlavi is an active part of the 'No Islamic Republic' campaign, initiated by activists both inside and outside Iran, which is mainly active on the internet with the hashtags نه_نه_جمهوری_اسلامی# (#no_no_Islamic_republic) and #NO2IR. Over the past few years, he has posted several videos on his personal Instagram account, expressing his views on the situation in Iran and its future, and the need for a transition to a stable power structure based on the will of the people and in the overall interests of the nation, abandoning the system imposed by the Islamic Republic and taking a stand against hereditary succession.  

While for at least the last decade he has talked endlessly about "free elections" and the Iranian people's "right to self-determination" as determining factors in what should be the future type of government in Iran, this is the first time he has so openly positioned himself in favour of the republican system as his preference for Iran's future.

In the video on social media, Reza Pahlavi stated that "we should reach a point where it is not necessarily the traditional institutions that rule", and emphasised that "despite what I have inherited, I myself am a revolutionary", "if you ask me, I prefer a republican system, because it has a fixed election period and there is a person in charge". Furthermore, he acknowledged that while some cultures need a symbolic personality, as a democrat, in no case should it be inherited. 

''I'm not willing to have someone boss me around, let alone become the one who bosses others around,'' he said, adding that ''we have to stop focusing so much on the person and start focusing on the system''. ''Institutions need to be strengthened; the individual is not important, institutions and structures are. As long as we want to act like sheep, shepherds will appear''. Is this the future of our country? I don't think so,'' he said.

The idea he proposes is that we should cut this ''umbilical cord'' of hereditary transfer of power, and let the people choose the kind of system they want for Iran. I have not tried for forty years of my life to go back to something imperfect. Many may not like it, but I am morally obliged to tell you my truth and my belief, and this is my word and my commitment to you,'' he said.

Prince Reza strongly emphasised that he is not seeking office, but wants to be free enough to be able to talk to any Iranian, to listen to their words and to have them taken into account for the evolution of the country.