Former Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi visiting Israel for Holocaust Remembrance Day

Former Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi is going to Israel to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, he announced on Sunday, amid tense Iranian-Israeli relations.

Mr Pahlavi is expected to be in Israel for Yom HaShoah on Monday and is planning to attend the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Yad Vashem.

The statement announcing his visit described Mr Pahlavi as “the most prominent Iranian to visit Israel in history”.

He will hold meetings with officials and leaders about politics, the Iranian diaspora and water and agricultural technology.

“I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people,” Mr Pahlavi said in a Twitter post.

“The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations. I’m going to Israel to play my role in building toward that brighter future.”

There have been concerns of rising tensions between the two countries in recent in recent months, with concerns of war.

Meanwhile, Iran has continued its uranium enrichment efforts after failed nuclear deal discussions.

Mr Pahlavi says he's being hosted by Israeli Minister of Intelligence Gila Gamliel, who will accompany him to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

She tweeted, “looking forward hosting you in Israel dear @pahlavireza and starting to build bridges between our nations”, ahead of his visit.

Mr Pahlavi, the son of former shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is exiled as an opposition figure.

He was the last crown prince and heir to the throne when the 1979 Iranian Revolution occurred.

Mr Pahlavi has called for a parliamentary democracy in Iran.

He also spread messages of unity during anti-government protests in the country in the past six months.

Mr Pahlavi “will deliver remarks outlining his vision for an Iranian democracy that celebrates freedoms of speech and religion, safeguards human rights, protects its natural resources, and invests its treasure in Iranian people rather than foreign terrorist groups,” his statement said.

His trip will also focus on meeting Israeli experts on water technology, where Mr Pahlavi said he hopes to learn from their work and experience to help address Iran's water crisis.