Exiled Prince Calls For International Support Against Iranian Leadership

Reza Pahlavi has urged the world to stand firm against Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime as Iran’s fight for freedom reaches a crucial juncture.

Quick Takes

Pahlavi appeals for global pressure on Iran’s leadership.
He highlights the pivotal role of Iranian women in protests.
Recent protests have sparked new solidarity among opposition forces.
There are calls for international support for the Iranian people’s demands for freedom.

Iranian Opposition Uniting

The Iranian opposition has long faced challenges with organization and unity, but recent protest movements have fostered a collective mood. The death of Mahsa Jina Amini in September 2022 prompted a wave of solidarity among opposition figures, intensifying calls for freedom and justice. Prominent figures, including Reza Pahlavi, have issued messages advocating for change, emphasizing the need for unity in their efforts against the current regime.

Despite these efforts, disagreements persist. A notable incident involved an organized tweet campaign to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization; some figures refrained from participating, highlighting ongoing divisions. Nevertheless, a new sentiment of solidarity can be seen, particularly in the support Pahlavi is garnering as a potential unifying figure for democratic transition.

Global Pressure and Support

Reza Pahlavi has called for governments worldwide to intensify pressure on Iran’s regime and offer substantial support to the Iranian populace. He emphasized this strategy during his appearance at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, reiterating that Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime is particularly vulnerable now. Pahlavi’s advocacy focuses on enlisting G20 nations to apply a dual strategy: “maximum pressure” on the regime and “maximum support” for the Iranian people.

“The Iranian people have endured more than four decades of suffering, yet their spirit remains unbroken. They are fighting not just for themselves but for the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity,” said Pahlavi.

His advocacy is supported not only by Iranian exiles but also figures like singer Dariush Eghbali and footballer Ali Karimi. Their endorsements are part of a broader movement emphasizing Pahlavi’s role as an interim leader, rather than the restoration of monarchy. This movement has garnered significant public support, with a petition in support of Pahlavi’s interim leadership gathering hundreds of thousands of signatures.

The Call for Unity

Pahlavi is clear in his calls for unity among all pro-democracy forces, urging collaboration across political and intellectual divides. Critics of the campaign warn against focusing on a single leader and stress the importance of fostering a comprehensive coalition. Despite these concerns, the need for a unified front remains pressing.

“I, once more, ask for the collaboration of all pro-democracy forces, including personalities, political parties, and groups. We must help Iran’s national revolution based on three minimum common principles: Iran’s territorial integrity, a secular democracy based on human rights, and people’s right to determine the form of political regime in free elections,” Pahlavi also said.

Exiled opposition figures, including Pahlavi, emphasize transitioning to a new pluralistic system in Iran, with eventual free elections. Pahlavi warns the regime cannot be reformed and must be removed for any lasting change. His assertive stance calls attention to the Iranian people’s continued struggle for freedom, urging global societies to acknowledge the regime’s vulnerabilities and support Iran’s quest for liberty.