Exiled Iranian royal Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran, has made a bold appeal for a nationwide uprising against the Islamic Republic, declaring that its collapse has already begun. He addressed the Iranian population through X, urging military, police, and state employees to join the movement to overthrow the Khamenei-led regime. Pahlavi described Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as panicked and ineffective, stating, “The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart,” and emphasized that “all it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.”
Pahlavi expressed his solidarity with Iranians suffering under the current regime and reassured citizens about the future, saying that plans were in place for a democratic transitional government post-regime collapse. He encouraged people to demonstrate peacefully across cities like Bandar Abbas and Mashhad, urging members of the military and governmental institutions not to oppose the people.
Supporting Pahlavi’s sentiments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently indicated that regime change in Iran is imminent, highlighting the dissent among the Iranian populace against their rulers. In interviews, he noted that 80 percent of Iranians dislike the current government and expressed hope for a better future, rooting for the ancient friendship between the Persian and Jewish peoples as a foundation for potential cooperation.
Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel’s military actions, referred to as “Operation Rising Lion,” were a response to Iran’s accelerating nuclear ambitions, specifically the country’s accumulation of enriched uranium. He underscored the importance of the Iranian people’s decision to rise for their freedom, reiterating that the power to enact change rests with them.
This moment reflects a significant turning point in Iranian history, fueled by internal dissent and international pressure. Both Pahlavi and Netanyahu emphasize the need for the Iranian people to unite in their quest for a free Iran, instilling a sense of hope for the future amidst challenging circumstances.