This article ( which I have translated from French) first appeared last year in 2021 following demonstrations in Khouzistan and Khorasan provinces but remains relevant today. The empress recently reiterated this call in 2022 in an interview with tv  channel : Iran international.

Following recent events, in Khouzestan and Khorasan provinces, Farah Pahlavi the former empress of Iran send a message aimed at her compatriots. Calling upon the army to show solidarity with iranians victim of a quiet repression. The Shahbanou expressed her support to all the demonstrations which occurred in the north and south of iran, a country that seeks “the type of life they had before the revolution, peace and happiness”.

“I ask the military as well as the Basijis to think about their compatriots who have peacefully demonstrated, asking for their basic human rights. Do you consider normal to respond to their demands with bullets ?” The empress’ message to Iran’s armed forces widely distributed on social media. Videos put online on Telegram and Twitter show tens of thousands demonstrating against the mullahs demanding access to water and the end of the regime. The latter immediately reacted violently by sending the guardians of the revolution to crackdown on the demonstrators. Several videos show the army shoot on protestors and the cities plunged in the dark. Unverified reports also claim that ASMLA a branch of Daecsh, were present during protests.

« Aujourd'hui, à l'occasion de l'anniversaire de la mort de Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (…) et depuis la tombe du défunt empereur, j’entends votre désir d'être libre de la tyrannie et de l'oppression qui vous sont infligées » a écrit l’impératrice qui exprime sa « tristesse de voir les dégâts » engendrés par la politique des mollahs. « Je sais à quel point c'est une situation amère. J'applaudis votre persistance à vouloir réaliser vos aspirations légitimes et prie pour votre victoire. J'espère que vous éviterez autant que possible de répondre à la violence par la violence afin que le régime ne serve pas de cela comme excuse » poursuit Farah Dibah qui s’est récemment rendue au Caire afin de rendre hommage à son époux décédé en 1980. « Mon plus grand souhait est de mettre fin à ces malheurs, de vous aider à vous débarrasser de ces nuages sombres et d’apporter à votre vie, une lumière d'espoir, de paix et de bonheur » termine dans un vibrant plaidoyer Farah Pahlavi.

The Empress continues “Today, on the anniversary of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi demise and next to the tomb of the former emperor, I hear your desire to be free against tyranny and oppression that you have been subjected to.” The empress expressed her “sadness to see such “destruction” carried out by the mullahs politics.

“I know how much this situation is bitter. I applaud your persistence in asking for your legitimate aspirations and pray for your victory. I hope you will avoid any form of violence which can be used as an excuse by the regime to crackdown on you.” The empress who lost her husband in 1980 was present in Cairo where the Shah is buried. She expressed a final desire “My biggest desire is to put an end to all this misery and help you get rid of the dark clouds and bring upon your lives a glimps of hope, of peace of happiness.”

Article written and published by Frederic de Natal 

Link to French version Here