'Luster' of the Regime Gone - Reza Pahlavi

The "luster" of the Islamic Revolution has vanished following more than three decades of economic and political decline, the former crown prince of Iran said.

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the late Emperor of Iran Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, said in his prepared remarks for the Global Creative Leadership Summit in New York that the appeal of the 1979 revolution was in decline.

"After 30 years of economic decline, social upheaval, human rights violations, and international demonization, one can safely assert that the luster of the Islamic Revolution in Iran has vanished," he said.

He blasted the current regime for its behavior following disputed elections in June, saying the leadership in Tehran has lost most of its domestic and international influence.

He noted that despite the leverage Washington aimed to gain through its so-called carrot and stick diplomatic effort, tightened sanctions on Tehran could only work if coupled with a "robust policy" of support for human rights in Iran.

As the Islamic republic declines, he said, a "window of opportunity" has emerged to implement change in Iran.

"It is my hope that this opportunity should not be wasted," he concluded.

Global Creative Leadership Summit Speech, New York City, 25 September 2009