GRAPEVINE, Texas — A contingent of pro-freedom Iranian activists filled seats at the Conservative Political Action Conference to support the U.S. military’s Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime.
The group loudly chanted praise for President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ordering military strikes against the Islamic republic that began Feb. 28 and called for exiled former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, to be the country’s new leader.
CPAC is known for fostering American political campaigns where activists introduce themselves to grassroots conservatives. The push to gain support for Mr. Pahlavi from American conservatives to become Iran’s new leader has similarities to these past campaigns for office.
The activists chanted throughout the convention halls, “Thank you, Trump,” “Regime change for Iran” and referred to Mr. Pahlavi as “King Reza Pahlavi” and as “Shah.”
“We are here to appreciate Trump for after 47 years, having the courage and understanding of what Iranian people are going through and we need freedom, and he’s the only one … so far who has decided, with Netanyahu, of course, to help Iran to get rid of this ruthless, ruthless regime,” said Farah Saidi, 63, an Iranian retiree who has resided in Houston for the last 47 years.
“This regime is not Iranian. All they care about is Islam and getting rid of Israel and for a free Palestine. But how about a free Iran?” she said.
CPAC included a panel on Thursday called “MAGA vs. Mullah Madness” featuring victims of the Iranian regime, and Mr. Pahlavi is scheduled to address the conference. A video promoted CPAC for Iranians in Exile, a group created to support the country’s diaspora, on video screens between speakers.
“We came here for Reza Pahlavi, King Reza Pahlavi, and we are supporters of him. We found out that he is speaking. So, we are here to meet him and support him,” said Mehrdad Ghafar, 73, a retired engineer from Houston.
Mr. Pahlavi has said he is willing to be a transitional leader for Iran, but these activists are seeking more from him.
“That’s what he says. And I know that Iran or Persia, we never had anything like other countries. We always had a king. And we are used to having a king. We don’t know anything else. We do not operate without it,” Mr. Ghafar said.
“He doesn’t want to be king, but he wants to facilitate democracy and what people want, and I know in the end that people will end up choosing him.”
