During the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran. A key topic of discussion was the current situation in Iran and the need to strengthen sanctions against the Iranian regime, considering its cooperation with Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Condemnation of Iran and Russia’s Cooperation
The parties unanimously condemned the joint actions between Iran and Russia, particularly the supply of Iranian Shahed strike drones to Russia, as well as the transfer of licenses for the production of this weaponry. Such a partnership, they stated, poses a danger not only to Ukraine but also to the broader region.
“We condemned the cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly the supply of Shahed drones to Russia by the Iranian regime and the transfer of licenses for their production. This partnership represents a real threat not only to Ukraine but to the entire region.”
In a Telegram address, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to Prince Reza Pahlavi for his support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He emphasized the importance of consolidating efforts to protect human lives, noting that Ukraine is ready to provide the necessary assistance.
The Political Situation in Iran and the International Community’s Reaction
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, who was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, currently leads the opposition faction in exile, residing in the United States. He aspires to become a “transitional” leader in the event of a regime change in Iran.
The end of December and January were marked by large-scale protests in Iran. Initially, the protesters raised economic demands, but later political slogans against the authorities emerged. The Iranian authorities responded with brutal repression, which, according to human rights activists, led to the deaths of thousands of peaceful residents. It is also known that in January, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held secret meetings with Reza Pahlavi.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly warned Tehran of the possibility of a military strike in the event of the execution of arrested protesters. Washington did not rule out military response options, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized that the Pentagon is ready to act if Iran refuses to negotiate regarding its nuclear program.
On February 6, Iranian and American officials began negotiations in Oman. These consultations are viewed as a last attempt to avoid a large-scale military escalation in the Persian Gulf.