Pahlavi: I would recognize Israel, normalize relations with the US, end Iran's nuclear program

The son of the deposed Iranian Shah, Reza Pahlavi, who lives in Washington, announced today that, if he returns to power in Iran, he would immediately recognize Israel, normalize relations with the United States (US), end the development of Iran's nuclear program and stop supporting terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Pahlavi, an opponent of the theocratic government in Tehran, also announced in a video message that "a free Iran will cooperate with regional and global partners in the fight against terrorism."

"I will be clear about how a free Iran will act towards its neighbors and the world after the fall of the regime. Iran's nuclear program would be ended, support for terrorist groups would be immediately halted. Iran's relations with the US would be normalized, and our friendship with America and its people would be restored. Iran would immediately recognize the state of Israel," Pahlavi said in a video message broadcast by Al Jazeera.

The key points that Pahlavi would implement if he returned to power represent a radical departure from the foreign policy of Iran's theocratic government, established by the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The hardline Islamists who rule Iran, led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, consider the US and Israel their greatest enemies, are developing a nuclear program that has hit the country with devastating United Nations sanctions, and are funding several armed groups in neighboring countries, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas.

Pahlavi, whose father, the autocratic pro-American Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran in 1979 on the eve of the Islamic Revolution, has strongly supported the latest wave of protests at home, which began on December 28. The protests erupted over the difficult economic situation, but quickly turned anti-government and spread to all Iranian provinces.

Last week, Pahlavi called on Iranians to take to the streets to protest, and then on US President Donald Trump to be ready to intervene to help the Iranian people.

Many Iranians chanted "Death to the dictator," referring to Khamenei, and "Death to the Islamic Republic." Cheers for the late Shah were also heard at the demonstrations, but it is unclear whether these chants also mean support for Prince Reza Pahlavi, just as it is not known how much support he has in Iran.

According to the US-based Activists for Human Rights in Iran, at least 2.637 people have been killed in protest-related violence so far.

The American agency Associated Press reports today that it increasingly appears that the Iranian authorities have succeeded in largely suppressing the protests.