Iran's Liberation and Eric Prince's 'Vatican Model': A New Geopolitical Equation?



The future of Iran has long been a subject of debate in Western policy-making circles. But Blackwater founder Eric Prince has recently made a proposal that has many thinking anew. According to him, there is an unbalanced battle going on between Iran's existing theocratic (religious) system and the people's desire for freedom. To open this tangle, he has talked about a solution along the lines of 'Vatican City'.
​Can Mashhad be an 'Islamic Vatican'?
​Eric Prince's main proposal is that if there is any change in negotiations with the current ruling class or mullahs, the city of Mashhad can be left as an autonomous religious center for them. Much like the Vatican City in the heart of Italy.
The gist of his argument is:
Religious freedom versus state rule: The mullahs will be able to maintain their strict Islamic laws and ideology in the city of Mashhad. For those who want to live a very conservative life, that will be the centerpiece.
Freedom of Iran: In return, the rest of Iran will be able to breathe as a modern, democratic, and free state. Ordinary people from Tehran to Shiraz will regain their personal and political freedoms.
"Not our blood, but the responsibility of the Iranians"
Eric Prince emphasized a very important point in his speech—the limits of intervention. He made it clear that it is not the responsibility of foreign troops or airpower to change the Iranian regime.
"The opportunity and the right to do this are the sole responsibility of the Iranian people. It is not our (the United States or the Western world's) airpower, our army, or our blood to fix this."
This statement is fundamentally the opposite of the old Western policy of 'regime change'.  He believes that the real task is to create an environment where Iranians can determine their own destiny, not by imposing war from the outside.
​A realistic solution or a fantasy?
​The Prince's plan may seem like a simple solution, but its implementation is extremely complex. Mashhad is one of the holiest and most strategic cities in Iran. Will the regime really agree to leave the center of power and confine itself to a small city?
​However, one positive aspect of this proposal is that it offers a 'safe passage' or safe exit, avoiding direct conflict. If the current rulers of Iran realize that their existence is under threat, this kind of 'Vatican model' could be an option on the negotiating table to avoid a bloody war.

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