Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called on the international community to actively assist Iranian protesters in overthrowing the government in Tehran, saying that the fall of the Islamic Republic is inevitable.
"The Islamic Republic will fall - not if, but when," Pahlavi said at a news conference in Washington, where he began his speech with a minute of silence for what he called "the brave Iranian people."
Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the difficult economic situation and quickly escalated into open calls for the end of the rule of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to human rights organizations, more than 2.500 people were killed in the crackdown. Iranian authorities have called the demonstrations "riots" that they say are being carried out by foreign enemies.
Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, has emerged in recent weeks as one of the most visible faces of Iran's fragmented opposition. He claims that parts of the security apparatus refuse to participate in the repression and that the government is using foreign militia fighters to suppress protests. At the same time, the regime has almost completely shut down the internet and communication networks to prevent the spread of information.
Pahlavi called on the world to target the leadership of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and its command infrastructure, noting that this would "make the job of the protesters easier and prevent further loss of life," index.hr reports.
"The Iranian people are taking decisive steps on the ground. Now is the time for the international community to fully join them," he said.
He added that the regime would fall even without external help, but that with concrete international action it would happen faster and with fewer victims.
Pahlavi listed six specific steps that, according to him, the world should take: protect the Iranian people by weakening the regime's repressive apparatus, including the leadership of the Revolutionary Guard; increase and maintain maximum economic pressure; enable unrestricted access to the internet and secure communications; expel Iranian diplomats and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for crimes against humanity; demand the immediate release of all political prisoners; and prepare for a democratic transition and commit to recognizing the transitional government when the time comes.
"Supporting the Iranian people is not an act of charity or inappropriate interference. Global stability depends on the removal of this regime," Pahlavi said, adding that for this "we do not need to send soldiers to the field, because Iranian boots are already on the ground."
Pahlavi reiterated that he was ready to take on a leading role in the transitional period and intended to return to Iran.
"As my countrymen call upon me for leadership, I reaffirm my lifelong commitment and step forward to lead a movement that will take our country back from the hands of the enemy force that occupies it and kills its children," he said.
"I will return to Iran. I am uniquely positioned to ensure a stable transition. This is not my opinion, this is the verdict of the people clearly spoken in the face of bullets."
He added that he has a "comprehensive plan for an orderly transition of power" ready, which he claims can be implemented immediately.
Pahlavi declined to comment on reports that he had spoken to senior US officials, but said he believed US President Donald Trump would stand with the Iranian people. Trump has previously warned Tehran not to execute protesters and said the US could take "very strong measures" if it did.
Iran's parliament speaker warned that any US attack would lead to attacks on Israel, as well as US military and naval targets in the region. Meanwhile, the US and the UK have reduced the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, in what was described as a precautionary measure.
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