Reza Pahlavi has threatened that a future “national army” would respond forcefully to so-called “separatists” following a new political alliance in Kurdistan.
In this statement, the Worker-communist Party of Iran firmly condemns these threats and rejects the use of “separatism” as a pretext for militarisation and repression. The text argues that national discrimination must be addressed through equality, democratic rights and voluntary unity — not intimidation and force.
We condemn Reza Pahlavi’s threats against the people and political forces of Kurdistan
The formation of a political alliance by several parties and organisations in Kurdistan has provoked angry and hostile reactions from both the Islamic Republic and Reza Pahlavi. In a recent message, Reza Pahlavi threatened that “Iran’s future army, alongside the nation, will give a firm response to separatists.” These reactions are neither accidental nor outside the historical pattern of behaviour of authoritarian governments in Iran. The Worker-communist Party strongly condemns these threats.
With every political statement, Reza Pahlavi further reveals his anti-people and repressive character. Both the Pahlavi dictatorship and the Islamic Republic have shown in practice that, instead of responding to the legitimate and humane demands of the people of Kurdistan, they have consistently adopted a security and military approach. The deployment of armed forces, bombardment of residential areas, securitising the political atmosphere and turning Kurdistan into a heavily militarised region have been the response of these two regimes to people who have stood up against economic discrimination, political oppression and authoritarian rule.
The justification for these repressions has always been the pretext and club of “separatism” — despite the fact that no political party or organisation in Kurdistan has put forward a demand for secession. Yet even if such a demand were raised by certain currents, it would not be a crime. On the contrary, commitment to principles grounded in freedom requires that such matters be addressed through civil and political mechanisms and by recourse to public vote — not through military threats and force. Historical experience shows that the root cause of tendencies towards separation lies in oppression and discrimination against sections of a country’s population.
Experience in Western countries demonstrates that only when separatist demands are addressed through dialogue and referenda — rather than through military campaigns and repression — can they reach civilised and just outcomes. In Quebec, Canada, separatist parties have operated openly for years, and the question of independence has been put to a public referendum. In New Caledonia under French rule, and in Scotland within the United Kingdom, multiple referenda on independence have been held without the state resorting to military repression. These examples show that national questions are resolved through engagement, not force — and it is precisely this approach that strengthens voluntary unity.
In Iran as well, the legitimate demands of the people and political forces of Kurdistan must be addressed by abolishing national oppression and discrimination, recognising education in the mother tongue, guaranteeing equal participation in political structures, ending economic marginalisation and acknowledging the right to self-determination within democratic principles.
The Worker-communist Party of Iran defends the unity of the country’s inhabitants on the basis of the free and voluntary will of the people. At the same time, we firmly oppose any forced annexation or imposition by coercion. Any threat of military action against the people of Kurdistan — from whatever political current — must be strongly condemned.
The Worker-communist Party expects all opposition political forces to adopt a clear and firm position against any threats and against the fascistic and anti-people intimidation tactics of Reza Pahlavi, and to strongly denounce such repressive policies. A peaceful and desirable future for the country can only be achieved through coexistence, freedom, justice, the abolition of all forms of oppression and discrimination, equal citizenship rights and recourse to the will of the people.
We firmly support the legitimate demands of the people of Kurdistan to end national oppression. Our principled solution to national oppression is full legal equality for all citizens in every sphere of social life. We strive for a secular, non-ethnic and non-religious political and administrative system in which the equal rights of all inhabitants and residents of Iran are guaranteed, regardless of ethnicity, gender, race, religion, beliefs or any other distinction.
We stand for the voluntary unity of all the people of Iran as equal citizens of the country. At the same time, if the people of Kurdistan decide, through a free referendum and as equal citizens, on separation or non-separation, we recognise their decision.
[Video – Students in a university in Kurdistan dance to Woman Life Freedom in 2022]
Worker-communist Party of Iran
26 February 2026
