Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s late shah, said he is confident the Islamic Republic will collapse amid nationwide protests, urging international support for a transition to secular democracy.
At a Washington press conference, Pahlavi—in exile since Iran’s 1979 revolution—said he would return to Iran. His name has been chanted at recent demonstrations, which authorities have violently suppressed.
Iran’s government says its use of force responded to “terrorist elements” and armed violence within protests, a narrative Tehran officials and state media have emphasised to justify the crackdown.
“The Islamic Republic will fall — not if, but when,” Reza Pahlavi told a news conference in Washington. “I will return to Iran.”
Pahlavi has lived in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled his pro-Western father.
Key developments
• Pahlavi called on the international community to weaken the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and expel Iranian diplomats.
• He appealed to Donald Trump for action; no direct intervention has followed.
• Iran’s justice minister declared post-8 January unrest a criminal “internal conflict.”
• Trump has stated that executions have halted amid continued tensions.
ℹ️ Euronews
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