Pahlavi meets Coalition, seeks talks with Albanese and Wong

Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi has confirmed he will visit Australia following a virtual meeting with senior Coalition figures on Thursday, and has called for talks with the government.

Pahlavi met opposition leader Angus Taylor, shadow foreign affairs minister Ted O’Brien and other MPs and senators, in a meeting that followed the Coalition’s invitation last month.

He said the discussion covered human rights abuses in Iran, the protection of Iranian-Australians from foreign interference, and what Australia could do to support Iranians.

“We agreed the freedom of the Iranian people should transcend party politics. I would therefore welcome the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other members of the Australian Government, as well as continuing my dialogue with the Coalition,” Pahlavi said.

“I also look forward to visiting Australia in person, to meet political leaders from across the spectrum and, importantly, to meet members of the Iranian-Australian community.”