Exiled prince honors Iranian women fighting for freedom on International Women’s Day

Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi praised Iranian women’s role in opposing the Islamic Republic and called them central to the country’s future in a message marking International Women’s Day.

“This year’s March 8 arrives as Iran passes through the most decisive chapter of its contemporary history,” Pahlavi said in a statement posted on X.

“Iranian women, who before the upheaval of 1979 enjoyed many rights and freedoms under the law, lost a large portion of those rights and liberties with the establishment of the Islamic Republic,” he said. “Yet over the past forty-seven years, they have never laid down the banner of the struggle against discrimination and injustice.”

Pahlavi said Iranian women had stood “at the forefront of resistance” against the authorities and had fought alongside men during the recent nationwide protests.

“In the free, democratic, prosperous, and flourishing Iran of tomorrow, all citizens — regardless of gender — will be equal before the law,” he added. “Iranian women, who have been pioneers in the struggle for freedom, will also play a decisive role in the day after liberation.”