Berlin

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, has criticised the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, questioning whether Tehran’s leadership would genuinely change its behaviour.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Thursday, Pahlavi said the deal was based on the assumption that Iran’s rulers would suddenly become pragmatic. He expressed doubt over that possibility, saying diplomacy had already been given sufficient opportunity.

While noting that diplomacy should not be ruled out, he suggested that previous efforts had failed to bring meaningful change.

Pahlavi, who has positioned himself as a possible alternative leader if Iran’s current Shiite clerical establishment collapses, has backed the recent US-Israeli military intervention in the Middle East.

He also urged European nations to take stronger steps in support of Iranians seeking democracy and political freedoms.

Raising concerns over human rights, Pahlavi claimed that 19 political prisoners had been executed in Iran over the past two weeks, while another 20 people had reportedly been handed death sentences.

READ MORE: West Bengal Polls: In first phase, 152 seats outcome crucial for Mamata, BJP

He questioned whether democratic nations would intervene or remain silent in the face of such actions.