PARIS, Jan. 12 — Protests in Iran continued into a second week over the weekend, with exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi emerging as a vocal supporter of demonstrators and backing what he described as a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic.
In a recent post on X, Pahlavi praised protesters for what he called “million-strong demonstrations” that he said have shaken the foundations of the Iranian regime.
In a video message shared on X, the crown prince said, “Dear oppressed Iran, my brave compatriots, in the past two weeks, especially in the last four days, you have shaken the foundations of the illegitimate regime of the Islamic Republic with your million-strong demonstrations. Now, relying on your million-strong response to the calls of the past days, and with the legitimacy and popularity I have received from you, I announce another stage of the national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic and reclaim our dear Iran.”
He added that inside Iran, seizing and holding central city streets, as well as targeting institutions responsible for what he described as false propaganda and communication shutdowns, were legitimate actions. He also called on government employees and members of the armed and security forces to either join the people or face what he described as lasting shame for siding with the regime.
Addressing Iranians abroad, Pahlavi said Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the people and should display Iran’s national flag rather than that of the Islamic Republic.
“Outside Iran, all embassies and consulates of Iran belong to the Iranian nation, and the time has come for them to be adorned with the national flag of Iran instead of the shameful flag of the Islamic Republic,” he said. “We are on the verge of reclaiming our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic. Khamenei and his regime have suffered several heavy blows from you, and we must not give them a chance to catch their breath again.”
Pahlavi claimed the regime is facing a serious shortage of repressive forces and said increased violence against protesters reflects fear rather than strength. He said the movement would not retreat and asserted that international support would soon arrive.
“We are not alone. Global assistance will arrive soon as well. Wait for my next messages. We will soon reclaim our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic and hold celebrations of freedom and victory everywhere in Iran,” he said.
International leaders have reacted cautiously to the escalating situation. Earlier, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint, stressing that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly must be fully respected and protected.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is closely monitoring developments in Iran as protests demanding freedom continue to spread. He voiced strong support for the Iranian people’s struggle against what he described as tyranny.
The protests began on December 28 as demonstrations against soaring inflation and economic hardship and have since escalated into nationwide unrest marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
Demonstrations have spread across multiple cities, with authorities responding through arrests, crackdowns, and the use of force. Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the scale of casualties and the treatment of protesters.
Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on rioters and foreign interference, while maintaining that legitimate economic grievances will be addressed. Amid the unrest, US officials told CNN that President Donald Trump is weighing several military options in Iran following deadly protests, after warning Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators.
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