Exiled Reza Pahlavi presented on Friday a six – step plan to put pressure on the regime, which he stated “will fall, not a matter of if, but when.”
“My courageous compatriots, who are still holding their ground with battered bodies yet indomitable will, need your immediate help right now. However, make no mistake, the Islamic Republic is on the verge of collapse,” Pahlavi announced.
” and his henchmen are aware of this. That’s why they are acting out like a wounded animal, desperately trying to hold onto power,” he went on. “The people have not backed down. Their resolve has made one thing evident. They are not just rejecting this regime. They are demanding a reliable new way forward. They have called on me to lead.”
Pahlavi said he has a comprehensive plan for an orderly transition and requested the international community to take six actions, beginning with safeguarding the Iranian people “by weakening the regime’s repressive capabilities, including targeting the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and its command – and – control infrastructure.”
“Secondly, apply and maintain maximum economic pressure on the regime, freeze their assets globally, target and break up their fleet of ghost [oil] tankers,” he said.
“Thirdly, penetrate the regime’s information blockade by enabling unrestricted internet access. Widely deploy Starlink and other secure communication tools across Iran and carry out cyber operations to disable the regime’s ability to shut down the internet. Fourthly, hold the regime accountable by expelling its diplomats from your capitals and pursue legal enforcement actions against those responsible for crimes against humanity,” Pahlavi continued.
“Fifthly, demand the immediate… Sixthly, prepare for a democratic transition in Iran by committing to recognize a legitimate transitional government when the time comes,” he concluded.
Pahlavi’s remarks were made as the President commented on the possibility of Pahlavi taking over the country if the Islamic regime were to fall.
“He seems like a very nice person, but I’m not sure how he’d fare in his own country,” Trump told Reuters during an interview on Wednesday. “And we’re really not at that stage yet.”
“I don’t know if his country would accept his leadership, and of course, if they would, that would be okay with me,” he added.
When Pahlavi was asked on Friday by a reporter about how he plans to win Trump over, he said, “President Trump has said that it’s up to the Iranian people to decide, and I completely agree.”
“I’ve always said it’s for the Iranian people to decide. And I think the Iranian people have already shown in large numbers who they want to lead them through this transition,” he added. “So I’m confident that I have the support of my compatriots. And as for international leaders, they should assess the situation on the ground and see who is capable of doing that. I believe I can, and I have the support of the Iranian people.”
Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.