Persian → English transcript

And yes, I have this last name and— And besides, I am really proud of it,

of my own background and my own heritage. Look, what you are proud of is a

horrible nightmare for the rest of the world. In particular,

the people of Europe have bitter memories of your dad’s dictatorship. For example,

this protest you see that was held in Berlin. When was it? Khordad of the year 1346.

And these people who have gathered here in the street are German students.

Why did they come?

They came to protest the visit of Mohammad Reza Shah to Germany. Look what they

called him on the placards.“ Murderer.” Or what does it say here?

They are demanding the freedom of political prisoners.

Or here, it says the dissolution of military courts. So see what a notorious

criminal your dad was that in Germany, Germans were protesting

against him.

Then look, when the Shah arrives,

the SAVAK agents go completely berserk,

they start beating the protesting Germans with sticks and clubs.

It is just unbelievable. You went there to visit,

and then the agents there are attacking the people of that country?

Then things get out of hand, it gets chaotic, the police arrive,

a German student is killed. So that this turns into nationwide protests all

over Germany. Years later they even make a memorial for him in Berlin,

and even now, if you go, under it is written that here a German student was

killed during demonstrations against the dictator Shah of Iran. So you see, the

people of Europe have kept these memories

of SAVAK and the Shah’s dictatorship alive, so wherever

you go they ask you about it. But isn't your family history a problem

for you as a transition leader?

I am proud of my heritage and my family's history and everything they've done.

Look, I'm not here to defend anything or condemn anything, and I'm extremely

proud of my heritage and what was accomplished in that era.

So look, not only does he not condemn his father’s crimes, not only does he not

distance himself, but on the contrary, he comes and says,

I am proud of everything they did.

He does not leave any exceptions at all.