Petition: Do Not Confer Political Legitimacy on Reza Pahlavi

To Australian Liberal Party and Coalition Politicians

Recent reports that Coalition politicians have invited Reza Pahlavi to visit Australia and meet with Australian politicians have caused serious concern among many members of the Iranian-Australian community and their democratic allies. Mr Pahlavi has accepted the invitation, although no date for the visit has yet been announced. (ABC News⁠)

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose any attempt to present or promote Reza Pahlavi as a political representative or leader of the Iranian people.

Why We Oppose This Invitation

1. No Democratic Mandate

Reza Pahlavi has never been elected or given a democratic mandate by the people of Iran to represent or lead them. His claim to a political role is based on his own political positioning, rather than on a democratic process or popular vote.

Indeed, Mr Pahlavi himself has recently described his proposed role as that of a transitional leader or a “bridge” towards elections. 

2. The Pahlavi Political Legacy

The Pahlavi monarchy was overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The history of the monarchy includes well-documented repression and restrictions on political freedoms. Any discussion of Iran’s political future must therefore allow for open debate about this historical legacy rather than treating the Pahlavi name as a substitute for democratic legitimacy. 

3. War and Military Intervention

We are also deeply concerned by Mr Pahlavi’s documented support for US military intervention and pressure against Iran. At a time when ordinary Iranians are already suffering from repression, war and economic hardship, we reject the idea that military intervention by foreign powers should determine Iran’s political future. 

What We Are Calling For

We call on Liberal Party and Coalition politicians to:

* Reconsider the political significance and public presentation of their invitation to Reza Pahlavi;
* Avoid treating any individual as the representative or leader of the Iranian people without a democratic mandate;
* Engage with the broad and diverse range of Iranian voices, organisations and political currents, both within Australia and among those inside Iran;
* Respect the Iranian people’s right to determine their own political future through a democratic process, free from both domestic repression and foreign political or military intervention.

Australia’s Iranian community is diverse. No single individual or political tendency can legitimately claim to speak on behalf of all Iranians.

We invite democratic and progressive individuals, organisations and political groups across Australia to sign this petition and make clear their opposition to the political legitimisation of unelected representatives of the Iranian people, and to similar initiatives in the future.
The Iranian Socialist Group - Australia