Iranian Exile Vows to Restore Iran's Greatness at Conservative Conference

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last monarch, has pledged to 'make Iran great again' if he takes power in the country. The former crown prince made the bold promise during a speech at the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the United States.

Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, called on the Trump administration to 'stay the course' in its confrontation with the current Iranian regime. He praised the U.S. and Israel's efforts to undermine the Islamic Republic through economic sanctions and covert operations.

In his address to the conservative audience, Pahlavi declared that he is the rightful heir to the Peacock Throne and the true leader of the Iranian people. He claimed that he would restore Iran's former glory and reclaim its place as a regional power if given the opportunity to lead the country.

Pahlavi's vision for Iran includes a return to the monarchy, with himself as the Shah, as well as a shift towards a more pro-Western, capitalist economic model. He promised to privatize state-owned industries, attract foreign investment, and liberalize Iran's heavily-controlled markets.

The former crown prince also pledged to crack down on corruption, human rights abuses, and the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) within the Iranian government. He vowed to transform Iran into a modern, democratic society that respects individual freedoms and aligns with the values of the United States and its allies.

Pahlavi's appearance at CPAC was seen as a significant move to gain support from American conservatives, who have long been critical of the Iranian regime. The exiled leader's message resonated with the audience, who applauded his calls for a regime change in Tehran.

However, Pahlavi's claims to the Iranian throne and his ability to mobilize a meaningful opposition movement within the country remain highly contentious. Many Iranians view the monarchy as a relic of the past and are skeptical of Pahlavi's ability to rally the people against the current Islamic Republic.

Nonetheless, Pahlavi's speech at CPAC has reignited a debate about the future of Iran and the role that the U.S. and its allies should play in shaping the country's political and economic trajectory.