During the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran. The discussions focused on condemning the supply of Iranian-made Shahed drones to Russia and the licensing of their production by the Iranian regime.
“We denounced the cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly the supply of Shahed drones to Russia and the licensing for their production. Such a partnership poses a real threat not only to Ukraine but to the entire region,” Zelensky stated.
The conversation also addressed the situation in Iran, highlighting areas where the Iranian people require assistance. They discussed the need for increased sanctions against the Iranian regime and other authoritarian governments.
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s support for the Iranian populace in their quest for a better future and expressed condolences to all victims of the regime.
“I thank the Crown Prince of Iran for his support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It is crucial to make every effort to protect human lives. Ukraine is ready to assist in any way possible,” Zelensky added.
Context on Iran
Protests in Iran began on December 28, triggered by soaring prices and the devaluation of the national currency. These protests quickly evolved into a broader opposition against the theocratic government that has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the protests, threatening assistance to demonstrators if the government continued its crackdown. He stated that the U.S. would be “on high alert.” In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei asserted that Iran would not yield to its enemies. The U.S. subsequently imposed new sanctions on Iran and deployed a naval strike group to the region.
Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to seize government institutions and encouraged the diaspora to replace the Islamic Republic’s flags at embassies with national flags. He also promised to abandon Iran’s nuclear program and recognize Israel should the Khamenei regime fall.
Countries such as Poland, the U.S., and Sweden have advised their citizens to leave Iran, while France evacuated some of its diplomats. The UK has imposed new sanctions on Iran and temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, a move also taken by Ukraine.
The Iranian government has confirmed the deaths of 5,000 individuals during the protests. The human rights group HRANA reported 3,308 confirmed fatalities and over 24,000 arrests, with an additional 4,382 cases pending verification.
Unverified estimates suggest that between 2,000 and 20,000 may have died. The verification of these figures has been complicated by a nationwide internet shutdown that began on January 8, with 99% of internet connections reportedly blocked, hindering independent access to information.
On January 28, Trump called for Iran to engage in negotiations for a nuclear agreement, warning that U.S. military ships had already entered the region and were prepared for a “swift and severe” response.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at the Munich Security Conference to discuss concerns over Iranian drone supplies to Russia and the situation in Iran. The meeting underscored the need for increased sanctions against authoritarian regimes and highlighted Ukraine's support for the Iranian people amidst ongoing protests.