‘Islamic Republic will fall,’ says exiled crown prince as he urges world to back Iran protesters

Protests began in Iran on 28 December over economic hardship and have since turned into wider calls for the removal of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

A US-based human rights group says more than 2,600 protesters have been killed, while thousands more have been arrested. Iranian authorities have dismissed the unrest as “riots” supported by foreign enemies.

Pahlavi claimed that parts of Iran’s security forces had refused to act against protesters and that fighters from foreign militias had been brought in to control demonstrations. He called for what he described as “surgical” action against command structures of the Revolutionary Guards, the BBC reported.

He also appealed for stronger economic pressure, the expulsion of Iranian diplomats, the release of political prisoners and the use of satellite internet services such as Starlink to restore communication inside Iran.

“The Iranian people are taking decisive action on the ground. It is now time for the international community to join them fully,” he said.

Pahlavi said he believed US President Donald Trump would support the protesters. Trump has warned Iran against killing demonstrators and has said the US would take “very strong action” if protesters were executed.

Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would lead to retaliation against US and Israeli interests in the region. The US and UK have since reduced staff at a major air base in Qatar as a precaution.

Pahlavi said any future leadership should be chosen by Iranians themselves and pledged to support a new constitution based on secular rule, freedoms and democratic choice.