The Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, stated this Friday (16) that the mass protests in the country will overthrow the Islamic regime and asked for international support for this objective. Son of the last shah of Iran, Pahlavi tries to present himself as an alternative government, but faces criticism from other exiles, who say he has lost contact with Iranians inside the country.
His father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980), ruled for decades with a brutal regime marked by torture and repression of dissent, before being overthrown by the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Analysts say there are no clear signs that Iranians would support a return to the monarchy if the ayatollahs step down from power.
Pahlavi lives in Washington. “The Islamic republic will fall, it’s just a matter of time,” he said. He tries to convince then US President Donald Trump to attack Tehran to support the protesters. Israel and the Gulf monarchies oppose military action, fearing retaliation and doubting that air strikes will topple the regime, according to American media.
“I believe President Trump is a man of his word and ultimately he will stand with the Iranian people, as he has said,” Pahlavi said. “The Iranian people are taking decisive action. Now it is time for the international community to join them fully.”
Iran’s Crown Prince calls for action against Tehran amid postponement of executions
Trump had warned Iran that he would intervene militarily if protesters were killed. He also encouraged Iranians to take control of state institutions, promising that “help is on the way.” However, two weeks later, Washington took no action.
The Republican instead highlighted what he called an end to the deaths of protesters as protests have subsided in recent days. Iran even postponed the execution of protester Erfan Soltani after Trump’s statements.
Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Donald Trump government, stated at a press conference this Thursday (15) that the United States managed to suspend 800 executions in Iran after an ultimatum.
Pahlavi called on Trump not to repeat Barack Obama’s policy and called for attacks on the command structure of the Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s elite military unit, which he considers “fundamental to instituting terror at home and terrorism abroad.”
Surgical strike and democratic transition are requests from Iran’s crown prince
“I’m calling for a surgical strike,” Pahlavi said. He supported Israel’s military campaign against Iran in June, which included American bombings of nuclear facilities. He also called on countries to expel Iranian diplomats and restore internet access cut off by the regime.
The prince wants to lead the transition to a secular democracy, with a popular referendum to define the government system. “I reaffirm my lifelong commitment to leading the movement that will take back our country from the hostile anti-Iranian force that occupies it and kills its children,” he said. “I will return to Iran.”
Pahlavi promised that a new Iran would have better relations with the Islamic republic’s enemies, the US and Israel, and integrate into the global economy. He cited a “Cyrus Agreement” to normalize relations with Israel, in reference to Cyrus the Great.
