The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee has compiled a provisional list of Iranian opposition figures to invite to an upcoming exchange of views on the crisis in Iran, with Reza Pahlavi topping the roster.

Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, leads the eight-person slate. The list also includes Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, Kurdish opposition leaders Mustafa Hijri of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and Abdullah Mohtadi of the Komala Party, Saeed Bashirtash of the Aban Front, Navid Shomali of the Tudeh Party, a representative from the Association for the Promotion of Open Society, and an empty seat symbolizing those persecuted inside Iran.

The selection awaits formal approval from parliamentary political groups, scheduled for Wednesday. Finnish ECR lawmaker Sebastian Tynkkynen, who advocated for Pahlavi's inclusion, said the prince would likely accept, adding that "international visibility and recognition are the important things that Reza Pahlavi needs." Tynkkynen noted Pahlavi's commitment to letting Iranians decide their future government form.

German Green MEP Hannah Neumann, an Iran specialist, described the list as a "balanced representation of civil society and opposition in the diaspora," stressing that a successful transition requires broad involvement. The National Council of Resistance of Iran, or Mujahedin-e Khalq, was excluded despite lobbying by some MEPs.

Pahlavi has gained prominence amid widespread unrest in Iran. Protests erupted in January 2026 from Tehran's bazaar over economic woes, drawing diverse groups including women and ethnic minorities. Demonstrators have chanted his name during crackdowns that killed thousands. He has rallied diaspora support, addressing 250,000 at a Munich protest in February.

The situation escalated dramatically last week. U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes starting March 1, targeting internal security sites and killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death the Iranian state media confirmed. Iran announced a three-member transitional council. The strikes followed nationwide protests and deepened the regime's crisis.

Pahlavi, who advocates secular democracy, separation of religion and state, and rule of law, visited the Parliament in 2023, hosted by ECR and EPP MEPs. Calls for a plenary address have surfaced from the ECR group but face slim chances for next week's Strasbourg session.

The hearing aims to amplify Iranian voices on potential transitions, underscoring EU interest as Tehran's leadership unravels.