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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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
