{"id":87742,"date":"2026-06-29T08:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T06:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=87742"},"modified":"2026-06-29T08:47:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T06:47:02","slug":"ambassador-carla-sands-rejects-shahs-son-endorses-maryam-rajavis-third-way-at-free-iran-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/06\/ambassador-carla-sands-rejects-shahs-son-endorses-maryam-rajavis-third-way-at-free-iran-summit\/87742\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambassador Carla Sands Rejects Shah\u2019s Son, Endorses Maryam Rajavi\u2019s \u2018Third Way\u2019 at Free Iran Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Ambassador
Ambassador Carla Sands rejects Shah\u2019s son, backs Maryam Rajavi\u2019s third way for democratic change in Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit<\/a> in Paris, former United States Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands stated that Iran\u2019s ruling regime is now weakened after decades of failure. She argued that the current moment presents a rare opportunity for the international community to move beyond the false choice between war and appeasement. Instead, she called for support of Maryam Rajavi\u2019s \u201cthird way\u201d\u2014a path to democratic change led by the Iranian people and their organized resistance inside the country.<\/p>\n

Ambassador Sands strongly criticized Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, rejecting his leadership claims as largely media-driven. She pointed out that he lacks an organized base within Iran, lives abroad in Los Angeles, and has recently urged the United States to escalate pressure rather than building a credible domestic movement. She also condemned reports of intimidation by some of his supporters in Europe, including the display of symbols associated with SAVAK, the Shah\u2019s secret police, and threats against opponents of a return to authoritarian rule. Sands emphasized that Iranians have repeatedly voiced their rejection of both monarchy and the current theocratic leadership.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Ambassador Sands highlighted the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as a credible and organized alternative. She praised Maryam Rajavi\u2019s Ten-Point Plan as a realistic framework for democratic transition, citing its emphasis on free elections, gender equality, freedom of expression, a market-based economy, and a non-nuclear Iran.<\/p>\n