Prince Reza Pahlavi: the Islamic Republic is a serious threat to Europe's security

In a message on Sunday, 18 October 2026, Prince Reza Pahlavi thanked Theo Francken, Belgium's defence minister, for the invitation to speak at the country's Royal Military Academy and announced the focus of his remarks: the threat the Islamic Republic poses to Europe's security. The message follows DIAR's earlier report on Prince Reza Pahlavi's trip to the Belgian military academy.

In the message, released by his media office, Prince Reza Pahlavi pointed to Belgium's important role in Europe and in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and warned that the Islamic Republic is "a serious threat to the security of Europe and beyond". He listed the forms this threat takes: terrorism on European soil, cyber threats, sending drones to Russia, long-range ballistic missiles and the nuclear weapons programme.

He said these "vital security challenges" will be the focus of his speech at Belgium's Royal Military Academy.

A speech to Belgian army officers

According to an earlier announcement by Prince Reza Pahlavi's office, the event will be held on Friday, 6 November 2026, hosted by Theo Francken, Belgium's minister of defence and foreign trade. Before the speech, Prince Reza Pahlavi will meet the chief of Belgium's defence staff and the army's senior commanders, and will then speak about the Middle East and the future of Iran.

A speech at a military institution of a NATO member is a chance for Prince Reza Pahlavi to put the case of the Islamic Republic before this continent's military decision-makers not only as a human rights issue for the Iranian people but as a national security issue for European countries.

Europe and the Islamic Republic's threats

Prince Reza Pahlavi's warning comes as several European governments have in recent weeks spoken of hostile actions by the Islamic Republic on their soil. Britain has said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was behind a plot to attack the Fairford air base, and the United States has confirmed that assessment; Marco Rubio confirmed the Islamic Republic's role in the plot. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has also said Europe is in the Islamic Republic's sights.

The Islamic Republic-made drones used in Russia's war against Ukraine, and the regime's missile and nuclear programmes, have for years been at the centre of European governments' concerns. Prince Reza Pahlavi has said repeatedly that these threats can end only with a transition from the Islamic Republic to a democratic, secular Iran.

Prince Reza Pahlavi will speak at Belgium's Royal Military Academy about the Islamic Republic as a threat to Europe's security.