Reza Pahlavi Calls for Regime Change Following US Attacks on Nuclear Facilities
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has urged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down in the wake of recent U.S. military strikes on several Iranian nuclear sites. The strikes, targeting facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, were confirmed by the US President and have amplified tensions in an already volatile region.
‘Catastrophic Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons’ Sparks US Attacks
On Sunday, Reza Pahlavi attributed the attacks to Khamenei’s “catastrophic pursuit of nuclear weapons,” declaring that the Supreme Leader's regime has failed the Iranian people. Posting on social media platform X, he accused the leadership of risking Iran’s future and called for a peaceful transition of power.
“The strikes on the Islamic Republic's three nuclear sites are the result of the regime's disastrous nuclear ambitions at the expense of the Iranian people,” wrote Pahlavi.
“Ali Khamenei and his crumbling terrorist regime have failed the nation. As Khamenei considers how to respond from his underground bunker, I say to him: For the sake of the Iranian people, respond by stepping down, so the proud Iranian nation can leave the disastrous period of the Islamic Republic behind and start a new chapter of peace, prosperity, and greatness.”
Though long in exile, Pahlavi has increasingly emerged as a vocal critic pushing for regime change in Iran, seeking to reclaim the vision of a constitutional monarchy that once positioned Iran as a vibrant, democratic nation prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
US Confirms Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Days after speculation surrounding the possibility of US involvement alongside Israel’s bombing campaign, President Donald Trump announced a “very successful” US military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Trump revealed that a full payload of bombs was dropped on the underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, as well as on other key nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. He emphasized that all US aircraft returned safely after the mission.
These strikes were touted as a direct message to Tehran to halt its nuclear ambitions and “agree to end this war.”
Implications for Iran’s Future
Reza Pahlavi’s statement encapsulates a deep frustration with Iran’s current leadership and a hope that this escalation might prompt significant political change. His call for Khamenei to step down references a desire among some Iranians for peace and a fresh start beyond decades of the Islamic Republic’s rule.
- Reza Pahlavi: Son of Iran’s last monarch, advocating for regime change from exile.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Supreme Leader of Iran, targeted by Pahlavi’s call to resign.
- US Strikes: Military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
- Trump’s Announcement: Confirmed successful strikes and urged Iran to end hostilities.
As tensions continue to rise, the dialogue between internal calls for reform and external military pressure paints a complex picture of Iran’s immediate future, marked by uncertainty and potential transformation.
