Zelenskyy urges swift action on Iran, saying Tehran must not be given more time

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Pahlavi argued that failure to confront the authorities decisively would embolden authoritarian actors beyond Iran.

Diplomatic pressure alone, he added, was insufficient. “It is time to end the Islamic Republic,” he said.

His remarks came at a time when Iran, nuclear negotiations, regional tensions and domestic crackdowns have been among the key issues discussed at the Munich Security Conference.

Protests persist despite crackdown

Resistance inside Iran, Pahlavi said, continues despite arrests and executions of the people.

“When they came to the streets, they were only met with this brutal genocidal level, industrial level massacre,” he said, adding that many were forced to retreat but “people are still out there chanting.”

He warned that delay could cost lives. “Every day that goes by, more people could die,” he said, arguing that negotiations would not yield meaningful results.

The 2026 Munich Security Conference has become one of the most outspoken platforms for presenting international perspectives on the future of the Islamic Republic, with Prince Reza Pahlavi, US Senator Lindsey Graham, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky each addressing the issue from different angles – including Iran’s protests, the role of the Revolutionary Guards, international pressure and possible future scenarios.

Sanctions and revenue pressure

Pahlavi urged stronger enforcement of sanctions to weaken the government’s ability to sustain its security forces.

“One way to weaken the regime even further is to impose more restrictions so that their source of revenue is cut off so they can no longer sustain their own elements,” he said.

“Any source of revenue to the regime will contribute to its ability to sustain itself a little bit longer, but at the end it will fall,” he added, describing financial pressure as a way to accelerate collapse.

Earlier, Pahlavi designated February 14 as a global day of action and called on Iranians abroad to rally in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto, as well as in other cities worldwide, to demonstrate their support for the “Lion and Sun Revolution” and their compatriots inside the country.

Regional instability and Europe’s stakes

Instability across the Middle East is rooted in radical Islamist movements, including forces linked to Tehran, Pahlavi noted.

“This regime has only one purpose which is to export this ideology. It is a threat to its own people.”

He said political change would benefit neighboring countries and Europe alike.

“We have now a possibility of even more migration to Europe as a result of any continuation of the status quo.”

“A free Iran that would be able to supply Europe with its energy needs would certainly be an alternative to the only source that you have right now,” he added, referring to Europe’s reliance on Russia.

He described a post-Islamic Republic transition as a “win-win” outcome that would open trade and investment while strengthening stability.

Ready to lead transition

The exiled prince said calls for his leadership inside Iran carry both weight and responsibility.

“Millions of Iranians chanted my name and called for my return. That humbles me and gives me a lot of responsibility at the same time to answer their call and to be the leader of this transition as they have asked for,” he said.

He emphasized that participation in the movement is broad-based.

“Anybody who agrees with those four core principles, irrespective of their political affiliation or viewpoints, can be part of this national struggle for freedom,” he said.

First 100 days and institutional continuity

Stabilizing the country would be the priority immediately after a collapse, Pahlavi added.

The first phase would be to “stabilize the country, stabilize the economy” and ensure security, he said, arguing that encouraging “maximum defections” would prevent chaos similar to Iraq after Saddam Hussein.

Those “criminally responsible” with “the blood of people on their hands” would face courts, he added.

He also outlined a phased constitutional process culminating in elections.

“At the end of this process, once the constitution is approved and the nation votes in a referendum to adopt it, we will have the election of the first new parliament and the first new government of that future democracy.”

Monarchy, republic and inclusion

Asked about the future political system, Pahlavi said voters – not factions – should decide.

“Democracy is not about exclusion, it’s about inclusion, unless you are not in conformity with democratic principles,” he noted.

“My position is neutral towards the outcome,” he said, arguing that Iranians should decide “by the ballot box.”

He rejected criticism that he seeks power for himself.

“I’m not running for office. I’m not running for a job. I’m not seeking a power or a title,” he said.

“The day that happens, I consider that the end of my political mission in life.”

The first court session was held for Ehsan Hosseinipour Hessarloo, Matin Mohammadi and Erfan Amiri, three detained protesters facing charges including arson and murder, Mizan, a news agency affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, reported on Saturday.

The three are accused of setting fire to a mosque in Pakdasht and of involvement in a killing, according to the report.

The judiciary also listed charges of “assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against [national] security,” alleging that the defendants responded to calls on social media platforms, including from the US President Donald Trump and Israel.

Maintaining the status quo in Iran risks further migration to Europe and deprives European countries of energy and economic opportunities, Prince Reza Pahlavi said.

“We have now a possibility of even more migration to Europe as a result of any continuation of the status quo,” he said, arguing that a democratic Iran could become a reliable energy supplier and strategic partner.

“A free Iran that would be able to supply Europe with its energy needs would certainly be an alternative to the only source that you have right now,” he added, referring to Europe’s reliance on Russia.

Pahlavi said political change in Iran would create a “win-win” outcome, opening the door to trade and investment while strengthening regional stability.

He also stressed that his objective is not to seek office. “I’m not running for office. I’m not running for a job. I’m not seeking a power or a title,” he said. “The day that happens, I consider that the end of my political mission in life,” referring to the establishment of an elected democratic government in Iran.

Further restricting the Islamic Republic’s access to revenue would weaken its ability to sustain its security forces and prolong its rule, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi said on Saturday on the sidelines of Munich Press Conference.

“One way to weaken the regime even further is to impose more restrictions so that their source of revenue is cut off so they can no longer sustain their own elements,” he said, arguing that financial pressure would accelerate its collapse.

Pahlavi described the government as fragile and said it would attempt to circumvent sanctions, adding that monitoring enforcement is the responsibility of the international community.

“Any source of revenue to the regime will contribute to its ability to sustain itself a little bit longer, but at the end it will fall,” he said, urging faster action to limit what he called the negative regional consequences of its continued existence.

Instability across the Middle East is rooted in radical Islamist movements, including forces linked to Tehran, Prince Reza Pahlavi argued and said Iran’s current leadership poses a threat both at home and beyond its borders.

“This regime has only one purpose which is to export this ideology. It is a threat to its own people,” he said, adding that neighboring countries understand the consequences of its policies.

A future Iranian government committed to peaceful relations, Pahlavi said, would be welcomed in the region. “The only way to eliminate all the problems at once is for this regime to be no longer there and instead have a country where its people… will prove that unlike this regime, they are peacemakers and they believe in stability first and foremost,” he said.