Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for nationwide strike, says he is preparing to return

Reza Pahlavi on protests in Iran

“With your courage and steadfastness, you have earned the admiration of the world. Your renewed and magnificent presence in the streets across Iran on Friday evening was a resounding response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic. I am certain that he has seen these images from his hiding place and trembled in fear,” he said.

Despite being in exile for nearly five decades, the 65-year-old son of the last Shah of Iran has emerged as the figurehead of the protesters, and many are calling for him to return to Tehran.

‘Time to take over cities’

Over the past few days, Pahlavi, through his social media posts have been calling on the protesters to hit the streets. On Saturday, Pahlavi once again urged supporters to do the same, but added that they should come prepared to take over the cities.

“Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets; the goal is to prepare for seizing the centres of cities and holding them. To achieve this goal, move toward the more central parts of the cities from different routes as much as possible and connect separate crowds. At the same time, prepare now to stay in the streets and gather the necessary supplies,” he said.

Nationwide strike

While expressing confidence that protests can bring the regime to its knees, Pahlavi also called on workers and employees in key sectors of the economy to go on a nationwide strike.

“Now, with your decisive response to the first call, I am certain that by making our street presence more targeted, and at the same time, by cutting off the financial lifelines, we will completely bring the Islamic Republic and its worn-out and fragile repression apparatus to its knees. In this regard, I invite workers and employees in key sectors of the economy, especially transportation, oil, gas, and energy, to begin the nationwide strike,” he said.

هم‌میهنان عزیزم،

شما با شجاعت و ایستادگی خود، تحسین جهانیان را برانگیخته‌اید. حضور دگرباره و پرشکوه‌تان در خیابان‌های سراسر ایران در شامگاه جمعه، پاسخی دندان‌شکن به تهدیدهای رهبر خائن و جنایتکار جمهوری اسلامی بود. یقین دارم که او این تصاویر را از مخفیگاهش دیده و از وحشت لرزیده… pic.twitter.com/MaQDiwkXRL

— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 10, 2026

Over the past few days, the Iranian regime has stepped up its brutal crackdown on the protesters. Due to the ongoing communication blackout across Iran, there is no clarity on the number of protesters killed in the past couple of days. But exiled Iranian activists on social media have claimed that anywhere from 60 to 200 protesters have been killed.

As the protests continue, Pahlavi said that he is preparing to return to Iran.

“I, too, am preparing for my return to the homeland to stand beside you, the great nation of Iran, at the moment of our national revolution’s victory. I believe that day is very near,” he said.