Pahlavi warns against making a deal with Iran's leaders

GRAPEVINE, Texas,— Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi said on Saturday that any effort to negotiate peace with Iran’s current leadership would only delay future threats against the United States.

He also said he plans to again urge Iranians to take to the streets in protest.

Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, a yearly meeting of Republican activists and lawmakers.

He received a strong welcome from the audience, including a standing ovation as he came on stage. His remarks about supporting the Iranian people drew repeated applause from conservatives and Iranian Americans attending the event.

Referring to comments made earlier this month by President Donald Trump, Pahlavi said military pressure was being pursued to avoid repeated security threats from Iran.

Trump had said he did not want the United States to face such dangers every two years. Pahlavi argued that talks with Iran’s current authorities would lead to the same cycle.

He said the present leadership in Iran could not be trusted in negotiations. He stated that the government would use talks to gain time, mislead counterparts, and continue actions that threaten American security and interests.

Pahlavi, who is 65, has presented himself as a leading option to head a transitional government in Iran. He has said he is ready to return to the country as soon as possible, ending a 47 year absence.

Iran’s opposition remains divided among different political groups and ideologies. Trump has also shown doubt about Pahlavi’s ability to lead, suggesting in past remarks that a figure from inside Iran might be more suitable.

The situation comes as Trump faces decisions after a month of conflict with Iran. With global energy prices rising and his approval ratings under pressure, the choice is between reaching a deal that could be unstable or increasing military action with the risk of a longer conflict.

During his speech, Pahlavi connected his position to U.S. security and economic interests. He received loud applause when he asked the audience to imagine Iran shifting from hostile slogans against America to supportive ones.

He also said a free Iran would create major economic opportunities for the United States.

Some Iranian Americans in the crowd chanted support for monarchy during parts of the speech.

Pahlavi repeated his call for nationwide protests, saying that when conditions allow, he would again ask Iranians to rise up to reclaim their country and future.

(With files from Reuters)