Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi previewed a future where Iran and Israel are at peace on Sunday, following the death of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pahlavi, who has lived in exile for 47 years, described Khamenei’s death as an “earthshattering event,” as it marks the end of “the chief monster of these monsters.” He addressed the people of Iran over the weekend, hours after the joint U.S. and Israel strikes that killed Khamenei, saying “the final victory will still be forged by our hands” despite these strikes from the two other countries.
Pahlavi said Sunday he vows to aid Iran in transitioning to democracy, and “of course,” he imagines the country at peace with Israel.
“In modern history, Iran actually gave refuge to Jews that were escaping the Nazis during the Second World War, giving them refuge and sanctuary in Iran,” Pahlavi said on CBS News’s 60 Minutes. “The strategic importance of having a partnership with Israel is critical.”
Pahlavi also listed “four core principles” for rebuilding Iran and its leadership: the country’s territorial integrity, the separation of religion and state, equality of all citizens, and a democratic process that allows people to elect their future system of governance. He also said Iran’s nuclear program should be “totally dismantled,” saying he doesn’t believe the country has “any need” for it.
Despite his desire to lead Iran to democracy, Pahlavi said he’s “not running for office.” He said the people of Iran “trust me as a transitional leader,” not as a future king or president.
“I’m totally focused on my mission in life, which is [to] let me bring the country to a point that they can make that free choice,” Pahlavi said. “That would be enough for me, having said, ‘Mission accomplished.’”
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President Donald Trump said Saturday he knows “exactly” who is running Iran after Khamenei’s death, but declined to divulge who that is. He also said that “there are some good candidates” for who could lead the country.
Trump said Sunday that the U.S. conflict in Iran, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” could last for four weeks. As of Monday, three U.S. soldiers have been killed, and five others have been seriously wounded.