As the Islamic Republic of Iran reels from U.S. airstrikes and escalating internal unrest, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi issued a bold statement Monday declaring that the regime is on the brink of collapse.
Pahlavi is calling on the Iranian people to remove the Islamic Republic dictatorship and has offered to lead his country through a peaceful, democratic transition.
“Today, it is clearer than ever: The Islamic Republic is collapsing,” Pahlavi said during a press conference in Paris.
“Credible reports indicate that Ali Khamenei’s family – and the families of senior regime officials – are making preparations to flee Iran.
“The regime is on its last legs, in towns and cities across the country.
“The military is fractured. The people are united.”
“This is our Berlin Wall moment,” Pahlavi added.
Pahlavi’s remarks come amid reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is hiding in a secret underground bunker, cutting off all electronic communications to avoid detection.
According to The New York Times, Khamenei is relaying military orders through a trusted aide, sparking speculation that he fears an assassination attempt.
The hiding comes just days after the U.S. military conducted targeted strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, warned Western governments not to intervene to save the regime, calling any such move a recipe for disaster.
“If the West throws the regime a lifeline, there will be more bloodshed and chaos – because this regime will not submit or surrender after it has been humiliated,” he said.
“It will lash out. As long as it is in power, no country and no people are safe: whether on the streets of Washington, Paris, Jerusalem, Riyadh, or Tehran.”
Despite calls for his leadership, Pahlavi made clear that he does not seek political power or a return to monarchy, but aims to guide Iran’s transition to a secular, democratic government.
“I am here today to submit myself to my compatriots to lead them down this road to peace and a democratic transition,” he said.
“I do not seek political power, but rather to help our great nation navigate through this critical hour toward stability, freedom, and justice.”
Blaming the Supreme Leader personally for the suffering of the Iranian people, Pahlavi issued a direct challenge.
“Seeing the images of the people of Tehran forced to flee our beautiful capital, the explosions in Isfahan, the fires along the Persian Gulf, all fill me with pain,” he said.
“But more than pain, I am filled with anger because this war is the result of the selfishness, hatred, and terror of one man: Ali Khamenei.
“While he directs this war from the safety of his hidden bunker, he uses our people as human shields.
“It is time to end the suffering.”
To Khamenei, he said: “Step down.
“And if you do, you will receive a fair trial and due process of law.
“Which is more than you have ever given any Iranian.”
Pahlavi also called on military, police, and security personnel to abandon the collapsing regime and join the pro-democracy movement.
“To those of you who are loyal to the Iranian nation, and not the Islamic Republic: there is a future for you in a democratic Iran, if you join the people now,” he said.
“I know these officers, these soldiers, these brave men exist because they are reaching out to me and telling me they want to be part of this national salvation.
“But now, greater coordination is needed.”
He announced the launch of a formal, secure channel for personnel to contact his team and “efficiently manage the growing volume of inbound communications and requests from those breaking with the regime.”
While praising the impact of U.S. military strikes, Pahlavi warned that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are far from over.
“The destruction of the regime’s nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace,” he said.
“The regime, enraged and emboldened, will be seeking revenge and can acquire nuclear weapons from other rogue regimes like North Korea.”
Pahlavi outlined a detailed plan for Iran’s future, built on three key principles:
- Territorial integrity of Iran
- Individual liberties and equality for all citizens
- Separation of religion and state
He also proposed a National Unity Summit made up of activists, dissidents, professionals, and experts to build a roadmap for transition.
“The final form of this future democracy we seek will be for the Iranian people to decide in a national referendum,” he said.
In addition, Pahlavi revealed that his team is preparing a comprehensive economic recovery plan, including a roadmap for the first 100 days after regime collapse.
“We are bringing together some of the world’s greatest investors, builders, entrepreneurs, and experts who care about Iran and see its immense potential,” he said.
According to Axios, before military intervention, President Donald Trump explored a diplomatic resolution with Turkey as a go-between.
Trump reportedly offered to send Vice President JD Vance and White House envoy Steve Witkoff to negotiate with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The president even offered to travel to Turkey himself.
However, Iranian counterparts could not reach Khamenei for hours, and the meeting never happened.
With the Islamic Republic weakened, its supreme leader in hiding, and the military reportedly splintering, Pahlavi says the time for Iran’s rebirth is now.
“We are bringing together Iranians from all walks of life, building a future based on justice, liberty, and dignity,” he said.
In a message to the world, he warned:
“The destruction of the regime’s weapons is not enough.
“Only the end of this regime will bring lasting peace.”
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