Noor Pahlavi feels deep sorrow as she observes the suffering of her people in a country she’s never visited but feels a deep connection to.
In an extensive interview with the California Post, the exiled princess outlined the severe violence directed at protesters, parents, and even children during a crackdown by the same oppressive regime that removed her grandfather, the Shah of Iran, 47 years ago.
Pahlavi detailed how children are being shot in the streets, doctors face persecution for aiding anti-regime demonstrators, and numerous Iranians are being abducted for secret interrogations, with many never returning home.
“Imagine if this happened to you and your country,” she remarked. “It’s happening at the hands of the government that is supposed to protect them.”
“It feels like a government at war with its own populace. It’s heartbreaking to see and to hear. It’s difficult for people here to grasp, but we mustn’t turn away.”
Pahlavi passionately called for a change in government amidst ongoing protests, not just in Iran, but globally, including a significant rally in Los Angeles, her new home.
Meanwhile, President Trump has adopted a firmer stance against Iran, deploying two aircraft carriers to the region and issuing a 10-day ultimatum as he weighs military action.
Reflecting on the situation, Pahlavi noted that the combination of internal and external pressures indicates that the Iranian regime isn’t yet prepared for change.
“We’ve never experienced a race this close, nor have we ever seen a government this weak,” she commented.
“The demand for regime change is critical. Reformists can’t achieve this. It’s essential to be clear about that.
People are yearning for something specific, and we need to listen to them.
“When the president promised assistance and encouraged people to continue protesting, they truly listened. Many are seen in the streets calling for him to help them, fighting against this government without any weapons.”
“Seeing the number of U.S. troops in the area gives me hope. Iranians back home are hopeful, waiting and praying for help.”
The rise of Iran’s current regime is deeply intertwined with Pahlavi’s family history, which has been preparing for a democratic transition, anticipating a future without the current leadership.
Her grandfather, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran amid the 1979 revolution that brought Khomeini and religious authorities to power.
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, Noor’s father, has long identified as an opposition leader advocating for secular democracy in Iran.
Recently, he urged President Trump to “speed up the transition process,” although his viability as a post-regime leader seems to be in question, including his standing with the president.
“My father has devoted his entire life to enabling Iranians to choose their path through free elections,” Noor stated.
Regardless of the prospects of returning to power, she remains part of a wider Iranian diaspora, particularly strong in Los Angeles.
A significant number of Iranian-Americans reside in Westwood, the heart of Tehrangeles.
Pahlavi noted that the freedoms in California have drawn many Iranian professionals and creatives who share similar values.
“The community demonstrates the benefits of freedom and opportunity. A free Iran would only lead to more of this,” she said.
“I just moved here recently, and I’ve never experienced the level of support from the community as I have in Los Angeles.”
Yet, despite their roots here, Pahlavi mentioned the lingering painful connections to their homeland.
Protests in Iran remain violent, fueled by frustration over years of oppression, a sinking economy, and even a water crisis.
The situation escalated in early January, resulting in one of the deadliest crackdowns in contemporary history, with over 7,000 lives lost, according to reports.
Expatriates, including Pahlavi, are impacted by fear as well. She has heard distressing stories from people whose families have been taken from hospitals or have simply vanished.
“I don’t think there’s a single person, either in Iran or here, who hasn’t faced loss,” she expressed.
“I believe every family carries that weight.”
However, Pahlavi remains hopeful regarding the protests. She recounted a woman who, after being shot in the eye, left the hospital just long enough to get treatment and then returned to the streets.
“Witnessing the bravery of ordinary Iranians, who confront this danger knowing the potential cost, makes me feel that the risks are worthwhile,” she remarked.
Pahlavi is optimistic that her family will eventually return to Iran, though she’s uncertain that the threat will ever fully vanish.
“As soon as the chance arises, we will be back,” she affirmed. “Once Iran is free, our entire family will finally return home.”
