Every year, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is a special event. Thousands of conservatives gather together to celebrate the greatness of America, and talk about how we can make it even greater. But CPAC 2026 has a special element this year. A very large contingent of Iranian Americans is here to hear the man whom some of them believe will lead their nation out of the grip of an evil regime and into democracy. The son of the late Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi.
He greeted a crowd of Iranians who clearly love him, and it was hard not to get emotional, to hear people cheer for the man they believe will save their nation. Pahlavi said that even though he had been ill recently with the flu, he felt he had to be here "to be a voice." (He was an extremely loud voice indeed.) He stated that he wanted to begin by remembering "the patriots, the heroes who have been killed by an evil regime that has held us hostage for 47 years, and have fought for the peace and security of the world."
He said that people on the streets protesting whom he has talked to told him to tell others,"tell the world we are not just fighting for ourselves, we are fighting for them too."
The exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi is set to appear at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas later this month, the group announced on Tuesday… Read More at https://t.co/dS9FPT2Qry pic.twitter.com/IFatGSByt9
— CPAC (@CPAC) March 25, 2026
Pahlavi then asked the audience to "close your eyes and imagine a free Iran. No more terrorism, no more threats, no more closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Imagine Iran promoting freedom for the U.S. and the world." He continued, "Can you imagine Iran going from 'death to America to god bless America?'" This was the first of many cheers erupting from hundreds of Iranians crowded into the hall.
READ MORE: Besieged Basij: The Incredible Effort to Hunt Down the Iranian Regime Forces
Pahlavi continued, telling a story that perhaps not many know - that immediately following 9/11, Iranians risked their lives to hold candlelight vigils right in the heart of Tehran; he said of these vigils, "I have seen the true soul of my people." He said that the Iranian people are people who celebrate life and liberty. They now have a chance to "export engineers instead of bombs. Iran will no longer be a nation that is a source of chaos and no longer threatens its neighbors.
He stated that this was "what Iran once was and can be again. When Iran is free, the Middle East changes, and America gains a great friend." He said that Iran is a nation of 93 million people, many of whom are highly educated, and a U.S. Iran partnership could generate one trillion dollars for the U.S. economy. Pahlavi also stated that Iran will be a friend to Israel. Another great cheer went up from the crowd.
Reza Pahlavi also talked about the current regime's "legacy of religious intolerance." He stated that Iran has one of the fastest-growing Christian populations, how underground Christian churches are "ransacked," and Christian converts are "tortured and killed."
Reza Pahlavi reminded his countrymen in the crowd that "a free Iran is within reach right now, but freedom isn't free." He added that Iranians "do not expect their freedom to be handed to them." He talked about how, beginning in January, the regime has ultimately massacred 40,000 Iranians. How protesters were hunted down in hospitals and killed, doctors and nurses were tortured, raped, and killed. How parents were charged for bullets used to kill their own children. How the regime quickly shut down the internet so none of the atrocities could get out.
Iranian diaspora at CPAC:
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) March 26, 2026
“Regime change for Iran!”
“King Reza Pahlavi!”
“Thank you, Trump!” pic.twitter.com/kLbOiLyGdQ
Pahlavi said that:
"Iranians will not swap one tyrant for another. This regime will never be partners for peace. They will only lie and cheat if even a few of them are left in power. They will continue threatening, the same nuclear blackmail, the same cries of death to America. The regime cannot reform itself. Venom is in its DNA."
As the crowd cheered again, Pahlavi stated, "There must be a clean break." He added that President Trump has given them a chance to achieve that. He rightly stated that "every other president beginning with [Jimmy] Carter tried to manage the regime, resulting in more dead Americans and Iranians. This prompted cheers of "Thank you, Trump" from the crowd. He went on to say that Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury had happened "because of Trump's resolve and the courage of American troops."
But Reza Pahlavi also rightly stated that "to continue, we must finish the job. If we don't, the threat of the Islamic Republic will not dissolve."
"Terrorists cannot be trusted to bring peace," he warned, adding that, "the final blow will be delivered by Iranians themselves," and that "I will call on them to rise up again," as they did in January.
He talked about Iran's transition to democracy. He said, "I have accepted that call, not to serve myself but to serve my nation and my people." It drew the biggest roar from the crowd. He shared the very detailed plan to bring Iran back from the darkness of the dictatorial regime called, "The Iran Prospect. What we ask now of America is to stay the course. pave the way for the Iranian people to finish the job."
ALSO READ: How Might Iran Be Rebuilt: A Three-Phase Plan
He noted that 2026 is America's 250th birthday, but that 2026 will also be "the year of Iran's rebirth of our 2500-year-old civilization." He concluded, saying:
"Our best latest chapter is being written right now. and Iran will stand alongside the U.S. as an ally, partner, and friend. President Trump is making America great again; I intend to make Iran great again."
The reaction from a few Iranian members of the crowd said it all. One man told RedState, "A very powerful speech. A very strong, clear position." He said that he believes that with the support of the U.S., Pahlavi will be successful in guiding Iran through its transition. Two other women said, "We loved it." When asked if Pahlavi would be successful, they both told RedState:
"Yes. That is what we are looking for. We are very grateful to President Trump. We would not be here. We could not do this without him. We have come 47 years. That's a long distance. This is the moment. We are so grateful to President Trump and Americans."
Reza Pahlavi was one of the highlights of CPAC 2026. Iranians have put their hope in him to help restore their homeland.
There is already a huge Iranian presence at CPAC in Dallas! Reza Pahlavi will be one of the speakers. pic.twitter.com/lsMRXDWo8e
— Beth Baisch 📸 (@BethBaisch) March 25, 2026
RedState
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