Zelenskiy Meets Iranian Opposition Figure Pahlavi

Why It Matters

The dialogue signals Ukraine’s attempt to broaden the sanctions front against Iran, potentially reshaping Western policy and limiting Russia’s strategic options. It also elevates the profile of Iranian opposition voices in Europe.

Key Takeaways

• Zelenskiy met exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi
• Discussion focused on tightening sanctions on Iran
• Both condemned Russia-Iran military cooperation
• Meeting aims to rally Western support against dictatorial regimes
• Could pressure EU to expand Iran sanctions

Pulse Analysis

The Munich Security Conference has become a crucible for high‑stakes diplomacy, and Zelenskiy’s meeting with Reza Pahlavi illustrates Kyiv’s strategic use of the forum. By aligning with a prominent Iranian dissident, Ukraine seeks to amplify calls for a coordinated sanctions regime that targets Tehran’s revenue streams, especially those linked to its burgeoning partnership with Moscow. This outreach dovetails with Ukraine’s broader effort to isolate Russia’s allies, leveraging Western concerns over nuclear proliferation and regional destabilisation.

Iran’s deepening ties with Russia—ranging from joint naval exercises to coordinated cyber operations—pose a dual threat to European security. Western policymakers have already imposed sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, but Tehran remains relatively insulated despite its support for Russian logistics and weapons transfers. Zelenskiy’s push for stricter sanctions aims to close that loophole, targeting Iran’s oil exports, drone production, and financial networks. If successful, the measures could curtail Iran’s ability to supply Russia with unmanned systems that have already altered the battlefield in Ukraine.

The potential ripple effects extend beyond the immediate Ukraine‑Russia‑Iran triangle. A unified sanctions front could embolden other opposition movements and signal to authoritarian regimes that diplomatic isolation is a viable counter‑measure. For the European Union, the meeting may accelerate debates on expanding the Iran sanctions package, balancing economic interests with security imperatives. Ultimately, the Zelenskiy‑Pahlavi dialogue underscores how wartime diplomacy can reshape geopolitical alliances and reinforce the principle that support for dictatorial regimes will carry tangible costs.

Zelenskiy meets Iranian opposition figure Pahlavi

Feb 13, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reacts as he is pictured behind a drone during his visit to a facility of German drone maker Quantum Systems, on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC), near Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen — Thilo Schmuelgen

KYIV, Feb 13 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he held a meeting with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah and a prominent voice in the opposition, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

“We discussed the importance of strengthening sanctions against the Iranian regime and any other dictatorial regimes,” he said on X, adding that they both condemned cooperation between Russia and Iran.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Sharon Singleton)