Urging renewed protests Reza Pahlavi warns against Iran peace talks
Grapevine (Texas): Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi on Saturday cautioned that negotiating with Iran’s current leadership would only delay security risks and said he would again call on Iranians to take to the streets in protest.
Addressing the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, Pahlavi said any peace deal with Tehran’s rulers would amount to postponing future threats. Referring to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump that he did not want to confront security challenges from Iran “every two years,” Pahlavi said talks with the present regime would achieve precisely that outcome, as reported by Reuters.
“The only thing that the remnants of this regime can be relied on to do is to buy time, to cheat and to steal. They will never be honest or true partners for peace,” he said, adding that negotiations would allow Tehran to regroup before returning to what he described as hostile policies.
Pahlavi is the exiled son of Iran’s former shah. He received a standing ovation as he took the stage. He said he was prepared to return to Iran after nearly 47 years in exile, positioning himself as a candidate to lead a transitional government.
At several points, sections of the audience, including Iranian Americans, chanted slogans in support of the former monarchy. Pahlavi also sought to link political change in Iran to American economic and security interests. He said a free Iran would offer opportunities for US businesses.
Iran’s opposition landscape remains divided among multiple factions, and Trump has previously indicated scepticism about Pahlavi’s prospects, suggesting that leadership may need to emerge from within Iran.
Pahlavi reiterated that he would call for sustained nationwide protests “when the right moment arrives,” urging Iranians to reclaim their future.
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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
