Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, characterized the joint U.S.-Israeli assault on the nation as the promised “aid” and a deed of “humanitarian intervention” by the President.
Subsequent to the reported strikes, Pahlavi encouraged Iranians to forsake the regime and appealed to security forces to defect.
“Moments of destiny are upon us,” Pahlavi stated in a social media announcement. “Even with the arrival of this aid, the ultimate victory will still be wrought by our own hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will see this final battle through to the end. The time to return to the streets is drawing near.”
Pahlavi asserted that the [regime] is crumbling.
He portrayed the reported strikes as aid aimed not at Iran itself, but at its governing clerical establishment and urged the U.S. to “exert the greatest prudence” to safeguard civilian lives.
“The aid that the President of the United States pledged to the valiant people of Iran has now arrived,” Pahlavi penned. “This is a humanitarian intervention; its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive mechanisms, and its killing machinery — not the nation and magnificent people of Iran.”
Pahlavi delivered a forthright warning to Iran’s military, police, and security services, urging them to part ways with Supreme Leader .
“As the Islamic Republic is collapsing, my message to the country’s military, police, and security forces is unambiguous: You have sworn an oath to safeguard Iran and the Iranian people — not the Islamic Republic and its leaders,” he penned.
“Your responsibility is to defend the people, not a regime that has held our homeland captive through repression and crime. Join the people and aid in effecting a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will sink with Khamenei’s failing vessel and his regime.”
His appeal echoed previous opposition endeavors to persuade Iran’s security forces to switch allegiances — a move that could decide whether protests spread or the regime tightens its hold.
While foreseeing imminent transformation, Pahlavi refrained from urging immediate street demonstrations. He cautioned citizens to stay in their homes and stay alert so that when he proclaims an “opportune time,” Iranians can “rejoin the streets for the final push.”
“We are on the cusp of final victory,” he wrote. “I long to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can retake and reconstruct Iran.”
He also stated he would sustain communication even if authorities moved to curtail internet or satellite access — a tactic Iranian officials have employed during preceding waves of unrest.
Pahlavi expressed support while once more urging caution to evade civilian casualties.
“I now entreat you to exert the greatest prudence to safeguard the lives of civilians and my fellow countrymen,” he penned, adding that “the people of Iran are your natural allies and those of the free world.”
Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has resided in exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew Iran’s monarchy and founded the Islamic Republic.
In recent years, he has endeavored to establish himself as a unifying opposition figure during waves of , including demonstrations ignited by economic unrest and the passing of Mahsa Amini in 2022.