The exiled son of Iran’s last shah, Reza Pahlavi, has welcomed the recent United States and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, describing the military action as a turning point and urging Iranians to prepare for what he termed the “final battle.”
The strikes, announced by United States President Donald Trump, targeted missile and military infrastructure in Iranian cities, including Tehran.
Trump said Washington’s objective was to eliminate “imminent threats,” declaring that US forces would “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”
In a message posted on X in Arabic and later translated into English, Reza Pahlavi wrote, “Moments of destiny lie ahead of us.
“The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived.
“This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter, not the country and great nation of Iran.”
Despite praising the strikes, Pahlavi said responsibility for political change ultimately rests with Iranians.
He said, “But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands.
“It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near.”
He called on members of Iran’s armed forces and security services to side with the people.
Pahlavi further stated, “You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian people, not the Islamic Republic and its leaders.
“Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition.”
“Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei’s sinking ship and his regime,” he added, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Addressing Trump directly, Pahlavi wrote, “The noble people of Iran, despite the savage repression and massacres of this regime, stood firm with courage for nearly two months.”
“I now ask you to exercise the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots,” he added.
While urging eventual street mobilisation, Pahlavi advised supporters to remain indoors for now.
He said, “In these sensitive hours and days, more than ever, we must stay focused on our ultimate goal: reclaiming Iran.
“I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate time, which I will announce to you precisely, you can return to the streets for the final action.”
Pahlavi added, “We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran. Long live Iran.”
Born in 1960, Pahlavi is the eldest son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Empress Farah Diba. He lives in exile in the United States and is a prominent critic of Iran’s Islamic Republic.
