Video: Son of Iranian Shah Breaks into Tears, Calls Regime 'Sinking Titanic'

The son of the late Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, broke down into tears Monday morning at the National Press Club as he struggled to get through a speech calling for democracy and respect for human rights in his home country. Even as Pahlavi spoke, American news reports detailed continuing attacks by Iranian police against demonstrators in Tehran.

Several minutes into his speech, which called for solidarity against the current Iranian regime, Pahlavi said, "No one, no one will benefit from closing his or her eyes to knives and cables cutting into faces and mouths of our young and old..." Overcome by emotion, he paused, looked down at his remarks and reached for a glass of water beside his podium. Trying to continue, he said, "...or from bullets piercing our beloved Nada..."

According to news reports, "Nada," or Neda Agha Soltan, is a young woman who was killed by Iranian police at a protest in Tehran on Saturday. Video of her killing has spread across the web and her name has become a rallying cry in the calls for democracy in Iran.

Pahlavi again paused and put a handkerchief to his mouth to muffle a cry. As applause began in the room, Pahlavi wiped tears from his eyes, and went on, "whose only sin was to quest for freedom -- no one but tyrants and their thugs. Do not let them define what is disrespect for sovereignty, what is interference in others' affairs."

Once composed, Pahlavi went on to say that the fighting in Iran is for "the sanctity, even the sovereignty, of the ballot box," and spoke out specifically against the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, who gave support to the Iranian regime last week. "He stood as a dam in front of this movement, sanctioning theft of the ballot box and flagrant fraud, all in the name of Islam," Pahlavi said. "It was an ugly moment of disrespect for God and man. It will not stand."

Pahlavi is the successor to the throne of the Iranian dynasty, but has lived in exile from Iran since 1979 when his family's monarchy was overthrown during the Iranian revolution. He now lives in the United States with his family and spends much of his time speaking out against the Iranian Islamic government.

During a question-and-answer session with reporters following his speech today, Pahlavi described the current Iranian government as a "sinking Titanic" and issued a plea to supporters on behalf of Iranians inside the country, who he said have contacted him by the hundreds. "Do not quiet down. Keep talking. Keep supporting us. Keep being there for us. We are dying here. We need to know we are not alone."

Pahlavi's comments about Neda begin at 0:50 below...