Son of Iran’s Shah Pahlavi Visits Israel

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, after arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel (Twitter)
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, after arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel (Twitter)
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Son of Iran’s Shah Pahlavi Visits Israel

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, after arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel (Twitter)
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, after arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel (Twitter)

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's former Shah, arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for a visit that highlights the once-warm relationship between his father and Israel, despite the current hostility between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani downplayed the visit's significance and declined to comment on it.

The Israeli government declared hours before the arrival of Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, that he is “the most senior personality” ever to publicly visit Israel.

Pahlavi, 62, stated that he would deliver “a message of friendship from the Iranian people.”

Israel and Iran enjoyed warmer relations during the era of the Shah, who was backed by the US. However, after the Shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution, the countries became hostile toward each other.

Israel stated that the purpose of Pahlavi’s visit is to create “a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and to express opposition to the Ayatollah regime.”

“A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbors,” Pahlavi was quoted as saying in an Israeli statement. “In my opinion, that day is closer than ever.”

“I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people,” Pahlavi said in a Twitter post before his visit.

“The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations. I’m going to Israel to play my role in building toward that brighter future.”

Pahlavi also said he plans to engage Israeli water experts on ways to address the mismanagement of Iran’s natural resources.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel confirmed that Pahlavi will visit a desalination plant to learn about Israel’s advanced water technologies.

Pahlavi is scheduled to participate in Israel’s official ceremonies commemorating the Holocaust during his visit. He will also meet with representatives of Israelis of Iranian origin, as well as representatives of the Baha'i community.



Putin Thanks Saudi Leadership for Sponsoring ‘Positive’ Riyadh Talks

 A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
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Putin Thanks Saudi Leadership for Sponsoring ‘Positive’ Riyadh Talks

 A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would like to meet with President Donald Trump but the meeting needs to be prepared to make it productive.

"I would like to have a meeting, but it needs to be prepared so that it brings results," Putin said in televised remarks. He added that he would be "pleased" to meet Trump.

Putin hailed the "positive" talks between senior Russian and US officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, noting that the parties agreed to restore the tattered diplomatic relations.

He expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for holding the talks in Riyadh.

"In my opinion, we have taken a first step to resume work in a variety of areas that are of mutual interest," Putin said. These included issues relating to the Middle East, global energy markets and cooperation in space, he said.

"Without increasing the level of trust between Russia and the United States, it is impossible to resolve many issues, including the Ukrainian crisis."

Ukraine and European governments were not invited to the talks in the Saudi capital, which heightened their concern that Russia and the United States might cut a deal that ignores their vital security interests.

But Putin said Russia had never rejected talks with the Europeans or with Kyiv, and it was they who had refused to talk to Moscow.

'NO ONE IS EXCLUDING UKRAINE,' PUTIN SAYS

"If they want, please, let these negotiations take place. And we will be ready to return to the table for negotiations," he said.

"No one is excluding Ukraine," he added, saying that there was therefore no need for a "hysterical" reaction to the US-Russia talks.

Putin praised the American's "restraint" in the face of what he called "boorish" behavior by US allies.

He said he would be "happy to meet with Donald".

"But we are in such a situation that it is not enough to meet to have tea, coffee, sit and talk about the future. We need to ensure that our teams prepare issues that are extremely important for both the United States and Russia, including - but not only - on the Ukrainian track, in order to reach solutions acceptable to both sides."

Putin said this would be no easy task. He said that Trump himself, who during the US election campaign repeatedly promised to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, was now talking about a period of six months.

He said this was "natural" because Trump had simply begun to receive fresh information that changed his approach.