Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Meets Individuals Raised in Mujahedin-e Khalq's Camp Ashraf in Iraq

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran and a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition, held a meeting with young individuals who were raised in Camp Ashraf. Camp Ashraf was a base for the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), an Iranian opposition group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries until 2012.

The camp was located in Iraq and housed MEK members and their families for decades.

The participants in the meeting were described as having spent their entire youth in the camp. They shared accounts of their lives there during the discussions with Pahlavi. The MEK, founded in 1965, has opposed the Iranian government and operated from exile, including in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's regime.

was established in the 1980s near the Iran-Iraq border as a training and living facility for MEK supporters.

It became a refuge for thousands, including children born and raised on site. U.S. military intervention that disarmed residents, and eventual transfers to Albania starting in 2016. The individuals Pahlavi met had lived in the camp during its operational years in Iraq.

Their stories provided firsthand perspectives on daily life, education, and challenges within the isolated community. Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the United States, often engages with Iranian diaspora groups to discuss opposition strategies.

The Mujahedin-e Khalq remains active in advocating for regime change in Iran, with a presence in Europe and the U.S. This meeting highlights ongoing connections between Pahlavi and various opposition factions, though the MEK and Pahlavi's monarchical supporters have distinct ideologies.

Affected parties include former camp residents now resettled abroad, who continue to navigate integration and political activism.