Iran’s Exiled Prince Calls for Uprising Amid Ongoing Protests

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for a nationwide uprising as protests continue to escalate across Iran. On Saturday, Pahlavi urged demonstrators to seize control of city centres and initiate strikes in key economic sectors to challenge the Islamic Republic’s authority. His appeal comes amid ongoing unrest fueled by economic hardship and widespread dissatisfaction with the clerical leadership.

In a post on X, Pahlavi commended the courage of protesters who have returned to the streets despite threats from the Iranian government. He described their actions as a significant challenge to the ruling establishment, asserting that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was “trembling in fear” witnessing the demonstrations. Pahlavi emphasized the need for a more targeted approach, calling on workers in vital sectors such as transportation, oil, and energy to begin a nationwide strike aimed at disrupting the regime’s financial resources.

“Your renewed and magnificent presence in the streets was a resounding response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic,” Pahlavi wrote, highlighting the determination of the Iranian people. He encouraged demonstrators to intensify their actions over the weekend, stating, “Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets. The goal is to prepare for seizing the centres of cities and holding them.”

Pahlavi’s call for action involves strategic coordination among protesters, urging them to converge on urban centres from multiple routes and to remain on the streets for extended periods. He also reached out to members of Iran’s security forces, appealing to those sympathetic to the protest movement to hinder the state’s repression mechanisms from within. “I too am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution’s victory, I can be beside you,” he stated, expressing confidence that change is imminent.

The unrest in Iran has intensified over the past two weeks, driven by issues such as inflation and economic stagnation. In response to the protests, authorities have implemented internet restrictions and heightened security measures in several cities. Earlier, Pahlavi had urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene, citing the dangerous situation facing demonstrators. “Millions of brave Iranians are facing live bullets and now a total blackout, no internet, no landlines,” he wrote, calling for urgent international support.

Khamenei, in his first public address since the protests commenced, accused foreign powers of meddling and specifically criticized Trump. He remarked that leaders characterized as arrogant tyrants historically faced downfall at the height of their power, implying that Trump would meet a similar fate.

As protests continue, images of Pahlavi have gained visibility, with demonstrators chanting for the restoration of the monarchy. Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah, who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is increasingly being seen as a unifying figure for opposition groups aiming to dismantle clerical governance.

In light of Trump’s warnings to Tehran regarding the treatment of peaceful protesters, Pahlavi publicly expressed gratitude, urging the U.S. administration to prepare to assist Iranians in their quest for political transformation. The situation in Iran remains fluid, with the potential for significant political change on the horizon as public sentiment continues to shift against the current regime.