Shah's Son Praises 'Revolution' of Iranian Women, Calls for Establishment of Democratic System

Iran's Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a press conference. (AFP)
Iran's Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a press conference. (AFP)
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Shah's Son Praises 'Revolution' of Iranian Women, Calls for Establishment of Democratic System

Iran's Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a press conference. (AFP)
Iran's Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a press conference. (AFP)

Iran's Former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi praised the latest wave of protests led by women, calling for a regime change in Iran and a transitional government to establish a "democratic system."

During a press conference in Washington, Pahlavi addressed the Iranian women leading the country's first women's revolution, supported by their husbands, fathers, and children.

"They wanted women to be slaves to men, but you, Iran's women, with the support of your husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons, have started the first women's revolution in history," he said.

Pahlavi called for forming an interim government acceptable to all to establish an alternative democratic political system.

He said that he does not "see any role for myself. Our only goal is to reach the day people go to the polls freely."

"I have never sought power and will not be a defender of any form of government in future elections. I respect all forms of democratic government."

He indicated that the reason for the citizens' trust in him is not to engage in partisan political games and competitions, asserting that Iranians do not want an autocracy.

Pahlavi called on jurists to prepare a draft of the Iranian constitution, saying the shape of the political system is not a priority.

He reiterated that the plan must include establishing a "pluralistic transitional government" after the fall of the Islamic Republic, where the parliament will be the highest decision-making authority in the country.

He concluded that regime change is a demand of the Iranian people, and has nothing to do with the will of other countries, calling for international support, reported BBC Farsi.

Pahlavi accused the authorities of trying to "intimidate" Iranians of division and accusing Kurds and Baluchis of separatism, noting that protesters responded with slogans against the rules.

Pahlavi called on the UN to form a special committee to investigate the killing of children and the repression of students, describing the incidents in Ardabil as a "crime against humanity and systematic harm to children."



7 more Turkish Soldiers Die from Methane Gas in Iraqi Cave, Raising Deaths to 12

FILE PHOTO: A Turkish flag flies on a passenger ferry with the Bosphorus in the background in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
FILE PHOTO: A Turkish flag flies on a passenger ferry with the Bosphorus in the background in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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7 more Turkish Soldiers Die from Methane Gas in Iraqi Cave, Raising Deaths to 12

FILE PHOTO: A Turkish flag flies on a passenger ferry with the Bosphorus in the background in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
FILE PHOTO: A Turkish flag flies on a passenger ferry with the Bosphorus in the background in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Seven more Turkish soldiers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Türkiye's Defense Ministry said Monday, bringing the death toll to 12. The soldiers had been searching for the remains of a fellow soldier previously killed by Kurdish militants.

The troops were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, according to the ministry. Five of the soldiers died Sunday from the colorless, odorless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration, and seven more succumbed on Monday, Reuters reported.

“We pray for God’s mercy upon our heroic martyrs who lost their lives in this tragic event,” the ministry said Monday, also expressing hope for a rapid recovery for other troops that were affected.

It said Defense Minister Yasar Guler and armed forces' commanders were traveling to the region to carry out “inspections and evaluations” and attend a ceremony as the soldiers were flown to their hometowns for burial.

Speaking at the ceremony, Guler commended the troops' “great courage and sacrifice,” adding: “Our grief is immense and our feelings are beyond words.”

The ministry said the incident took place in the “Claw-Lock Operation region” — a reference to an operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022.

There was no immediate information on the condition of the seven other soldiers who were affected by the gas.

Türkiye and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has often spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Türkiye has set up a series of bases in northern Iraq, where the PKK has been established for decades.

The PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by Türkiye and most of the West, announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Türkiye.

Its fighters are expected to begin handing over their weapons over the next few days in the first concrete move toward disarmament.

According to the ministry, the Turkish unit overcome by methane gas had been searching for the remains of an infantry officer killed by “terrorist gunfire” during a search-and-clear mission in May 2022. Recovery teams have been scouring the area for the past three years.

The cave where the incident occurred sits at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) and had previously been used by the PKK as a field hospital.