Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, has sharply escalated his rhetoric against the country’s leadership, accusing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of threatening the nation from hiding amid ongoing unrest.
In a public statement posted on social media, Pahlavi said Iran’s current leadership is acting out of fear as nationwide protests continue to challenge the Islamic Republic.
Pahlavi declared that the Iranian people would ultimately remove Khamenei from power and bring an end to the current political system.
Drawing on historical symbolism, he framed the struggle as a fight to liberate Iran from what he described as an oppressive and corrupt regime, urging citizens to remain steadfast in the streets.
Addressing Iran’s military and security forces, Pahlavi called on them to distance themselves from the government and side with protesters. He warned against using force to suppress demonstrations, saying those who target civilians would be identified and held accountable.
He argued that the role of the armed forces should be to protect the population, not to defend a system he said is losing legitimacy.
Pahlavi also appealed directly to protesters, urging them not to retreat but to expand their presence across cities and towns.
He said global attention is focused on Iran and claimed that international opinion increasingly supports the protesters’ demands.
The statement comes as Iran faces heightened pressure following days of demonstrations driven by economic hardship, political grievances, and growing public anger, with authorities warning against further unrest even as opposition voices call for sustained resistance.
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