Iranian exile Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for urgent humanitarian intervention in Iran, amid ongoing protests and increasing casualties. He made his appeal for action directly to President Trump after the president labeled regime change in Iran as potentially beneficial.
Pahlavi suggested several measures the U.S. could adopt to undermine the Ayatollahs, such as targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), cracking down on illicit oil shipments that financially support the regime, expelling diplomats involved in criminal activity, freezing the assets of oligarchs, and boosting the internet access of protesters. He stressed the importance of demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran. “These are concrete steps… there will be more pressure on the regime, but also more support for the Iranian people,” he noted during an appearance on a news program.
He expressed hope that these actions would aid in the process of removing the current regime, enabling Iranians to advocate for their futures. Pahlavi has aimed to present himself as a unifying figure for the secular democratic opposition in Iran, envisioning a transparent, democratic process that involves the citizens in determining their country’s direction.
His comments came amidst significant unrest in Iran, where anti-government protests have faced violent crackdowns. He claimed that at least 36,000 individuals lost their lives in the first few days of protests, although verifying accurate data has proven challenging. He also mentioned that over 40,000 were arrested during that period, with the number of missing persons still undetermined and more than 330,000 reportedly injured.
Pahlavi praised the global demonstrations held on World Day of Action, indicating a remarkable display of unity among supporters of change. “We showed unprecedented unity and support for each other,” he emphasized.
