A formidable coalition of former European ministers, state officials, and diplomats has issued a stark warning to the European Parliament, urging its leadership not to grant official recognition or institutional endorsement to Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s deposed Shah.
In an open letter addressed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola dated November 3, the group of 15 prominent political figures responded to reports from Belgian media that Pahlavi is scheduled to visit the Parliament this week to seek meetings with political groups and senior officials.
The signatories argue that affording Pahlavi a high-level platform would have “serious and potentially damaging implications” for the Iranian people’s pursuit of democracy. Stressing that Pahlavi possesses no democratic mandate, the former officials describe him as a “deeply divisive figure” whose elevation by European institutions would only serve to fracture the Iranian opposition and ultimately benefit the current ruling regime in Tehran.
Rejecting Both Dictatorships
A central theme of the letter is the unequivocal rejection of both Iran’s current theocracy and its former monarchy. While the authors state their firm opposition to the current regime and stand with the Iranian people’s struggle for human rights, they warn that “opposition to one dictatorship cannot justify legitimising another.”
The letter heavily criticizes the legacy of the former Shah’s rule, noting that it “abolished political pluralism, imposed one-party rule and relied on the secret police, SAVAK, to imprison, torture and persecute political opponents.”
The European leaders directly call out Reza Pahlavi for his failure to distance himself from his father’s authoritarian record, noting instead that he has publicly expressed pride in his family’s legacy. The signatories also expressed deep concern over the behavior of some of Pahlavi’s supporters in Europe, accusing them of glorifying symbols associated with the SAVAK secret police and engaging in the harassment and intimidation of political opponents.
Warnings Against War
Further alarming the European officials are past comments by Pahlavi allegedly advocating for military action against Iran.
“Mr Pahlavi has also openly advocated war and the bombing of Iran,” the letter reads. “Elevating a divisive figure who has promoted such a course would hinder, rather than advance, the prospects for a peaceful and democratic process led by the Iranian people themselves.”
The coalition concluded their letter by calling on Europe to stand with the Iranian people and their right to self-determination. They explicitly urged the European Parliament to reject any return to the authoritarian rule of the Shah and to reaffirm its commitment to a future Iran built on popular sovereignty, political pluralism, and the rule of law.
“The Iranian people should not be forced to choose between the dictatorship of the mullahs and a return to the dictatorship of the Shah,” the authors declared.
Signatories of the Open Letter:
- Audronius Ažubalis – Former Foreign Minister, Lithuania
- Tonio Borg – Former Foreign Minister, Malta
- Gérard Deprez – Minister of State, Belgium
- Hans Eichel – Former Finance Minister, Germany
- Jan-Erik Enestam – Former Defence Minister, Finland
- Frances Fitzgerald – Former Justice Minister, Ireland
- Charles Flanagan – Former Foreign Minister, Ireland
- Markus Meckel – Former Foreign Minister, German Democratic Republic
- Louis Michel – Former Foreign Minister, Belgium
- Joseph Muscat – Former Prime Minister, Malta
- Joachim Rücker – Former President of the UN Human Rights Council
- Borislav Sandov – Former Deputy Prime Minister, Bulgaria
- Ricardo Serrão Santos – Former Minister of Maritime Affairs, Portugal
- Villy Søvndal – Former Foreign Minister, Denmark; Member of the European Parliament
- Dick Spring – Former Foreign Minister, Ireland
- Erkki Tuomioja – Former Foreign Minister, Finland
- Vilenas Vadapalas – Former Judge, General Court of the European Union
- Anders Wijkman – Former Assistant Secretary-General of United Nations