“Idealism and realism, behavior change and regime change do not require different policies but the same: empowering the Iranian people.” —HIH Prince Reza Pahlavi

Reza Pahlavi was born in Tehran, Iran on October 31, 1960 to the late Shah of Iran and Empress Farah Pahlavi. As Crown Prince of Iran and the eldest of four siblings, he left Iran at the age of 17 for air force training, during which time the establishment of the clerical regime in Iran prevented his return to his homeland. Despite being forced to live in exile, Reza Pahlavi’s commitment and patriotic duty to Iran endures.

After leaving Iran, Reza Pahlavi completed his higher education with the University of Southern California receiving a degree in Political Science. An accomplished jet fighter pilot, Reza Pahlavi completed the United States Air Force Training Program at the former Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. During the Iran-Iraq War, Reza Pahlavi volunteered to serve his country’s military as a fighter pilot, but was declined by the clerical regime.

Over the past thirty years, Reza Pahlavi has been a leading advocate of the principles of freedom, democracy and human rights for his countrymen. He has maintained constant contact with his compatriots both inside and outside the country. Pahlavi has traveled the world meeting with many heads of state, legislators, policy-makers, interest groups and student groups speaking about the plight of Iranians under the Islamic regime in Iran. He has consistently spoken out against the widespread abuse and oppression of the Iranian people and called for the establishment of a secular democracy in Iran.

Reza Pahlavi has written two books on the state of Iran: Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iran (Regnery, 2002) and IRAN: L’Heure du Choix [IRAN: The Deciding Hour] (Denoël, 2009).

Reza Pahlavi has lived in Egypt, Morocco, and, since 1984, the United States. He married Yasmine Etemad Amini on June 12, 1986. Yasmine is a graduate of George Washington University School of Law and worked for ten years as a lawyer for the Children’s Law Center as a legal advocate for at-risk youth. Yasmine also founded the Foundation for the Children of Iran in 1991, a non-profit foundation that provides health care services to Iranian children or children of Iranian origin.

Reza Pahlavi is widely recognized as a leading voice in favor of a democratic and secular Iranian government. At the podium, he presents the historical perspective of Iran’s present circumstances and makes sense of the complex political and social issues across the region. Urging audiences to support Iran’s movement toward democratic independence, Reza Pahlavi’s unparalleled perspective raises a new awareness about freedom in the Middle East.

Reza Pahlavi and his wife Yasmine have three daughters: Noor, Iman and Farah.

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