Warning from Iranian Kurdistan Parties to Reza Pahlavi; Rejection of Military Threat and Call for Coalition Against Totalitarian Discourse

A coalition of political parties and movements from Iranian Kurdistan published a statement strongly condemning Reza Pahlavi's recent remarks regarding "separatism" and his threat to use the army against the Kurdish movement, calling it a sign of a security-driven approach and the continuation of a tradition of repression in his envisioned future Iran.​

In this statement, which begins with the address "Right-seeking people of Kurdistan" and "Freedom-loving fighters of Iran," the authors state that the announcement of the existence of the "Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan" has sparked a wave of "joy and revolutionary excitement" in Kurdistan, among "oppressed nations," and within Iranian political forces and international circles, but has simultaneously been met with a "hysterical and hateful" reaction from the Islamic Republic and certain factions opposed to the rights of nations. According to this coalition, Reza Pahlavi, in a post on the X platform, reprimanded Kurds and Kurdistan's parties and, repeating the accusation of "separatism," threatened that after the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, he would task the army with suppressing the "right-seeking movement of the Kurdish nation."

In response, referencing the Pahlavi dynasty era, the statement claims that in every instance of a "genuine will to partition Iran," the Shah and his father, disregarding territorial integrity, proceeded to "sell or cede" parts of Iranian territory, and that the main arena for their "show of force" was not the defense of territorial integrity, but rather the "massacre of civilians and suppression of democratic freedoms," particularly against oppressed nations. The authors view the repeated threat to use the army as an indication that in the Iran desired by Reza Pahlavi, dealing with civil demands and the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will remain "security-oriented and militaristic," creating no structural difference from the past and present repressive regimes of Iran.

The statement also points to Kurdistan's role in the Zhina movement (Woman, Life, Freedom) and recent uprisings, accusing Reza Pahlavi of playing an "undeniable" role in creating division among opponents with his "suspicious surrounding circle," and stating that the only faction that has maintained a "fraternal pact" with him has been the armed and security institutions of the Islamic Republic. The author coalition claims that with "false" promises regarding massive defections within the repressive apparatus, the presence of tens of thousands of Starlink terminals, and impending foreign aid, he effectively exposed thousands of protesters to the regime's trap and must be held accountable alongside the agents of repression on the "tomorrow of Iran's freedom."

Finally, the "Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan," while emphasizing the defense of the "ideals of the Kurdish nation" and the "legitimate rights of the oppressed nations of Iran," states that this level of "hate-mongering" will ultimately fail and, conversely, will strengthen the determination of freedom-loving nations to "permanently bury dictatorship and fascism of any kind." This coalition invites all forces in Kurdistan who desire freedom and the defense of their nation's rights to join this alliance in order to confront "totalitarian discourses."​

Read this statement on the original website.