Exiled crown prince urges world to help protesters topple Iran’s government
The exiled son of the last Iranian shah (king) appealed to the world to help protesters to overthrow the Iranian government and said he was sure “it’s not when the Islamic Republic will fall, but when.”
US-based opposition leader Reza Pahlavi asked the world to target Iran’s Revolutionary Guard leadership, saying this would “make our task easier and prevent further casualties”.
More than 2,500 protesters were killed in demonstrations that began on December 28 over the economy and turned into calls for an end to the rule of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, according to a human rights group.
The Iranian government has described the protests as “uprisings” backed by Iran’s enemies.
Pahlavi has emerged as a prominent figure in Iran’s fragmented opposition and has previously called on Iranians to step up their protests.
But protesters were met with lethal force by authorities, masked by a near-total shutdown of internet and communications services.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington on Friday, Pahlavi claimed that parts of Iran’s security apparatus had refused to join the crackdown and that Iranian authorities had brought in fighters from foreign militias to suppress the protests.
He called on the world to target Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its command and control infrastructure and called for a “surgical strike.”
He also asked global powers to apply economic pressure, expel Iranian diplomats, demand the release of all political prisoners, and establish Starlink satellite internet and other secure communications to allow connectivity in Iran.
“The Iranian people are taking decisive action on the ground. Now is the time for the international community to fully join them,” he said.
“The regime will fall, with or without the world’s help. If the world turns its words into action, it will fall faster and more lives will be saved.”
He refused to talk about reports that he had met with senior US officials, but said: “I believe President Trump is a man of his word and will ultimately stand with the Iranian people.”
Trump had previously warned the Iranian government not to kill protesters, telling the BBC’s US media partner CBS News: USA “will take very strong action” Against Iran if it executes protesters.
He later said he was told “the killings have stopped” but did not rule out military action against the country.
The Iranian parliament speaker had warned that if the US attacked, both Israel and US military and transport centers in the region would become legitimate targets.
The US and UK have reduced the number of personnel at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, with officials telling CBS News it was a “precautionary measure”.
On Friday, Pahlavi also promised to return to Iran and laid out a plan to create a new constitution in the country.
When asked about Iran’s future leadership, he said: “The decision belongs to the Iranian people.”
He said he believed he could lead and that he had the support of the Iranian people: “I’m trying to help them liberate themselves,” he said.
Pahlavi said he supports a governing program based on the principles of Iran’s territorial integrity, separation of religion and state, individual freedoms and the right of the Iranian people to decide on the democratic form of government they want.
Pahlavi’s father, the last shah of Iran, was overthrown by the Islamic revolution in 1979 and replaced by a devout Shiite Muslim regime.
The current wave of protests began when shopkeepers in Iran’s capital, Tehran, went on strike due to the rising cost of living and the depreciation of the currency.
They quickly spread throughout the country and opposed Iran’s religious institutions, especially Khamenei. Among the slogans chanted by the demonstrators were “Death to the dictator” and “Seyyed Ali”. [Khamenei] “It will be overthrown this year.”
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 2,595 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, as well as 17 children, 164 people affiliated with security forces or the government, and 21 uninvolved civilians.
Another 22,104 protesters were reportedly arrested.
The Iranian government has been imposing an internet blackout in the country since January 8, and authorities are increasing their crackdown on protests.
The BBC and many other international news organizations are also unable to report from inside Iran, making information difficult to obtain and verify.
Residents of four cities – Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Sanandaj – told the BBC on Friday that there were no protests. Some said security forces were still present in the streets and squares.
