Reza Pahlavi Declares Islamic Republic Near Collapse
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, has boldly declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran is on the brink of collapse. In a series of posts on social media, the exiled Crown Prince described the regime’s security apparatus as unraveling and called for a nationwide uprising to uproot the foundations of the Islamic Revolution.
‘Khamenei Gone Into Hiding’
Addressing the Iranian people, Pahlavi depicted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “frightened rat” who has gone into hiding underground amid the regime’s deteriorating control. He emphasized that the ongoing decline is irreversible and urged unity among Iranians to navigate this critical turning point in their nation's history.
“The Islamic Republic has reached its end. What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright, and together, we will pass through this sharp turn in history,” Pahlavi wrote.
Call for a Peaceful Transition
Reza Pahlavi urged Iran's military, law enforcement, and government employees not to defend a regime whose downfall is inevitable. Instead, he called upon them to support a peaceful transition to a democratic government by joining the people in reclaiming Iran’s future.
He asserted receiving messages of support from within Iran’s security forces, signaling cracks in the regime's cohesion.
Further outlining his vision, Pahlavi mentioned preparations for the immediate post-regime period, emphasizing readiness for a national democratic government led by the Iranian people.
Context: Heightened Iran-Israel Tensions and U.S. Warnings
This announcement comes amid escalating tensions and hostilities between Iran and Israel. Meanwhile, the United States has issued stern warnings to Tehran. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a brief hiatus from the G7 Summit, threatened decisive action against Khamenei, describing him as an “easy target” but stating that no immediate strike is planned.
Trump’s message to Iran called for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” underscoring Washington’s hardline stance amid the volatile regional conflict.
Looking Ahead
As the situation intensifies, the calls from Reza Pahlavi for regime change underscore a growing internal and external pressure on Iran’s current leadership. Whether this marks the beginning of a major shift in Iranian politics remains to be seen, but the expressions of fracture within Iran’s power structures suggest significant challenges lie ahead for the Islamic Republic.
