Concerns Regarding the Planned Invitation of Reza Pahlavi to the Bundestag
Dear Madam President of the Bundestag,
Dear Members of the German Bundestag,
Dear Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
Dear Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs,
We have noted with great concern reports about a planned invitation of Mr. Reza Pahlavi to a discussion at the German Bundestag. According to current information, this does not appear to be an official parliamentary format, but rather an initiative by individual members of parliament or activities of external networks or media actors in the Bundestag’s environment.
We consider such an invitation to be politically problematic and democratically questionable. Reza Pahlavi does not possess a democratically legitimized mandate and does not represent the diversity of Iranian society. Presenting him as a supposed representative of the opposition leads to an impermissible oversimplification of Iran’s political reality and sidelines other democratic and civil society forces.
Reza Pahlavi refers to himself as the “Father of Nations” and is portrayed by parts of his support base as a central figure of a so-called “national revolution.” In this context, reference is also made to the historical symbol of the “Lion and Sun” from the era of the former Iranian regime.
The Iranian opposition is pluralistic and multifaceted. Movements such as “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”), driven in particular by women as well as various ethnic and social groups, stand for profound democratic change. This process must not be reduced to a single individual or symbolic figure, as this would fail to do justice to the real dynamics within Iranian society.
Moreover, the political positions as well as parts of Mr. Pahlavi’s support base give rise to serious concerns. Within these circles, there are tendencies and rhetoric that suggest a limited understanding of democracy, pluralism, and equality, particularly toward dissenters, political opponents, minorities, and women.
In addition, non-public discussions with a single individual lacking democratic legitimacy carry the risk of political elevation without public accountability and stand in contradiction to the principles of transparency, parliamentary oversight, and democratic legitimacy to which the German Bundestag is committed.
We therefore strongly urge you to refrain from issuing an official or unofficial invitation to Mr. Reza Pahlavi or from granting him political elevation within a parliamentary context.
Instead, dialogue about the situation and future of Iran should be based on an inclusive, pluralistic, and democratically legitimized approach that reflects the true diversity of Iranian social and political forces.
Yours sincerely,
Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran
Members:
1. Balochistan People’s Party (BPP)
2. Baluchistan United Front – Iran (F R)
3. Council of Socialist Libertarians
4. Democratic Solidarity Party of Ahwaz
5. Green Party of Iran
6. Komala Party of Kurdistan
7. Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran
8. Provisional Council of the Iranian Left Socialists
9. Republican Solidarity Organization to Overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran
10. The 25 Shahrivar Group
11. Turkmen Sahra Cooperation Council
12. United Bakhtiary & Lorestan Party
13. Union of People’s Fedaian of Iran
Coalition’s Representative in Germany,
Dr. Kazem Moussavi
April 20, 2026