The exiled son of Iran’s last monarch has made a passionate appeal to the international community to assist protesters in their fight against the Iranian government. Reza Pahlavi, a prominent opposition figure based in the United States, expressed his confidence that “the Islamic Republic will fall – not if, but when” during a recent press conference.
Global call to action against Iranian regime
Pahlavi urged the world to take decisive action against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, arguing that targeting its leadership could “facilitate our task and prevent more loss of life.” His call comes amid escalating protests that have resulted in the deaths of over 2,500 demonstrators, as reported by human rights organizations. These demonstrations, which began in late December over economic grievances, have evolved into widespread demands for the ousting of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
The Iranian authorities have dismissed these protests as “riots” and labeled them as the work of foreign adversaries. In response to the brutal crackdown on demonstrators, Pahlavi highlighted that some elements within the Iranian security forces have refrained from participating in the violence, indicating potential fractures within the regime’s power structure.
Strategies for change and leadership aspirations
During his address, Pahlavi called for a range of international measures, including economic sanctions, expulsion of Iranian diplomats, and the provision of satellite internet services such as Starlink to restore connectivity within Iran. He emphasized the critical role of the global community in supporting the Iranian people’s struggle, stating, “With or without the world’s help, the regime will fall. It will fall sooner and more lives will be saved if the world turns its words into action.”
While he refrained from discussing any talks with US officials, Pahlavi did express his faith in former President Trump, stating, “I believe that President Trump is a man of his word and, ultimately, he will stand with the Iranian people.” Trump has previously warned the Iranian government against harming protesters and suggested that the US would respond strongly to any executions.
Pahlavi also articulated his vision for Iran’s future, asserting his intent to return and lead the country towards a new constitution based on principles of democratic governance, territorial integrity, and the separation of religion and state. He remarked, “It’s for the Iranian people to decide,” when asked about prospective leadership roles.
The ongoing unrest in Iran has intensified following demonstrations that erupted in response to rising living costs, with shopkeepers protesting in Tehran and other cities. As dissent grew, the slogans of protesters turned increasingly critical of the ruling clerical establishment, with chants such as “Death to the dictator” and “Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will be toppled this year.” Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that since the protests began, at least 2,595 individuals have lost their lives, including 17 children, alongside thousands more arrested amid a government-imposed internet blackout.
As the Iranian government tightens its grip on dissent, the flow of information remains severely restricted, complicating efforts to verify the situation on the ground. Accounts from residents in cities like Tehran and Isfahan indicate a continued presence of security forces, though many report a lack of ongoing protests.