Reaction to Ayatollah Khamenei’s Death
On Saturday, Iran’s exiled crown prince and a princess based in Los Angeles celebrated the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a series of powerful messages.
As news spread about the airstrike that led to Khamenei’s death, Princess Noor Pahlavi, a vocal critic of the regime for several months now, shared her thoughts on Instagram. She expressed a sense of painful relief among many Iranians, saying, “We are finally seeing a blow to a violent theocracy that has slaughtered its people for decades.”
She continued, “It’s not because war is ‘good.’ It’s not because anyone is ‘good.’ But when you’ve lived with the devil around your neck for over 45 years, every crack in the machine feels like air.”
Pahlavi also posted videos of Iranians celebrating in the streets, noting how they were laughing despite their long suffering under the regime.
Meanwhile, her father, Reza Pahlavi, who has resided in the US since the 1979 revolution, commented on social media about the reports of Khamenei’s death, calling him “bloodthirsty Zahhak,” a figure from Iranian folklore. He suggested that with Khamenei’s demise, the Islamic Republic was nearing its end. “With his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively ended and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he wrote.
Pahlavi critiqued any attempts by the regime to install a successor as illegitimate, stating such efforts would fail and be complicit in the regime’s crimes.
He also urged military and security forces to abandon the regime and support the people instead, guiding Iran towards a stable and free future. “The death of the criminal Khamenei cannot bring back the blood that was shed,” he noted, “but it will serve as a painkiller to the scorched hearts of grieving families.”
Pahlavi called this moment a “great national celebration” and encouraged Iranians to remain watchful and prepared. He concluded with a strong message about collective action: “Together, united and resolute, we will ensure ultimate victory and celebrate Iranian freedom throughout the homeland that Ahura built. Long live Iran.”
In her posts, Noor Pahlavi simply expressed gratitude with a heart and crying face emoji.
The California Post has reached out to Noor Pahlavi for further comment.
Notably, Pahlavi’s grandfather, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was Iran’s last shah who fled during the 1979 revolution that brought Khomeini and other religious leaders to power.
