Ukrainian leader tells exiled shah’s son that a free Iran must not cooperate with Russia or destabilise global security.

PARIS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a future “free Iran” that does not cooperate with Russia. He made the remarks during a meeting in Paris with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah.

Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, has positioned himself as a potential transitional leader should Iran’s Islamic republic fall. “Ukraine truly wants to see a free Iran that will not cooperate with Russia or destabilise the Middle East, Europe, and the world,” Zelensky posted on social media platform X.

He expressed gratitude for Pahlavi’s “clear assurances of support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Their teams will “remain in communication,” Zelensky added.

The meeting occurred amid heightened Middle East tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Tehran retaliated with attacks across the region and has disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

This vital waterway handles 20% of global oil supplies. Zelensky stated it was “crucial that the Iranian regime gains nothing” from the conflict.

He affirmed the right of the Iranian people to “determine their own fate”. Russia has extensively used Iranian-designed Shahed drones throughout its invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow also produces thousands of these drones domestically under the name Geran-2. Kyiv is concerned the Middle East war is diverting international attention from Ukraine.

This shift risks affecting the urgent supply of anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Such missiles are currently being used in large numbers in the Gulf to counter Iranian threats.

 The Sun Malaysia