Source: RFE/RL

Reza Pahlavi said he supports a 'true democracy' for Iran.

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the former shah of Iran, says he supports Iran's opposition Green Movement "100 percent," RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports. Pahlavi, 49, spoke to Radio Farda from his home in the United States two days ahead of the 31st anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, which deposed his father in 1979.

Pahlavi said the Green Movement has one important difference from the opposition movement that overthrew his father. He says that in 1979, people only knew what they did not want -- but now people also know what they want.

Pahlavi said that in order to have a nonviolent political transition, the security forces should join the opposition movement. He said that "30 years ago the army didn't interfere [in the protests]. Therefore the transition took place with little bloodshed."

Pahlavi added that "We are seeking [a] true democracy," something he said the current regime is unable to provide.

Pahlavi left Iran to study in the United States in 1978. Some Iranians still consider him the legitimate shah of Iran. When he turned 21, he symbolically declared himself "Shahanshah" (King of Kings), although he now refers to himself as "the former crown prince."

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