Farah Pahlavi Says Iran Protests Have Reached ‘Point Of No Return’

Farah Pahlavi, the widow of Iran’s last shah who was forced into exile during the 1979 revolution, has voiced strong support for protesters challenging the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying the nationwide unrest has put the country on an irreversible path towards freedom.

Pahlavi and her husband, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, were ousted from Iran in January 1979 during the popular uprising that ended the monarchy and brought the Islamic Republic to power. More than four decades later, she says the courage of Iran’s youth has renewed her hope for change.

In an interview with AFP News Agency following the recent protests, Pahlavi praised young demonstrators for what she described as their historic role, urging them to maintain hope and determination in what she called an “unequal confrontation” with the ruling system.

She said thousands of young Iranians had already been killed during the unrest and warned that more could still die at the hands of the authorities, but insisted the movement could not be reversed.

“One thing is now certain: there is no turning back,” she said. “This path is one-way. It leads to freedom, and such sacrifice demands victory.”

Pahlavi said Iranian opposition figures abroad have a duty to strengthen links between protesters inside the country and the international community, while organising demonstrations to keep global attention focused on events in Iran.

She stopped short of calling for foreign military intervention, instead appealing for international solidarity and sustained support for the Iranian people, arguing that a democratic Iran would contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East.

Pahlavi also said she hoped to return to Iran after 47 years in exile, describing herself as a mother longing to reunite with the country’s youth, whom she called “exceptional children,” and expressing confidence that such a reunion would take place soon.