Reza Pahlavi Calls for Iranians to Unite Against Islamic Republic and Unveils Transitional Government Plan

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran's last shah and a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition in exile, issued an urgent plea on Tuesday for all Iranians to unite in overthrowing the Islamic Republic. For the first time, he publicly disclosed that his team has a comprehensive plan for both the regime's downfall and governing the country during the subsequent transition.

The message, delivered in Persian via a video on his X account, marked Pahlavi's most extensive call to action since the inception of Operation Epic Fury—the joint U.S. and Israeli offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites that began on February 28, 2026.

Previously, Pahlavi had urged military and security forces to abandon the regime; his latest appeal broadens the audience to include "all Iranians from every sector."

"The Islamic Republic is no longer the regime that ruled Iran a year ago. It is now weaker than ever, with its leader absent and other top officials fearing above all the power of the Iranian people; they fear a national and effective uprising that will bring an end to this demonic regime," Pahlavi declared in the video.

Revolutionary Guard Blamed for Iran's Decline

The exiled prince blamed the Revolutionary Guard for the nation's economic and security deterioration: "This criminal sect and its terrorist Revolutionary Guard have dragged our beloved homeland into war and endangered Iran's existence. The Guard's control over national institutions and the plundering of resources are the main reasons for the constant worsening of Iran's economic and security situation."

Regarding the transition plan, Pahlavi was explicit: "We have a plan for overthrowing the Islamic Republic and governing Iran afterward; a clear plan aimed at preserving the country's security and stability during the transition, ensuring fundamental freedoms for the people, and meeting citizens' essential needs."

Call to Defect and Consequences for Loyalty

Moreover, he offered a safe passage to those who abandon the regime while warning those who do not: "To the military, police, and security forces: join the people and stand with them on the day of Iran's liberation to receive safe passage. But if you continue to side with the oppressors and partake in crimes against the people, you will be held accountable by law and justice."

This call comes amid a period of extreme weakness for the regime.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died during the initial attacks of Operation Epic Fury and was succeeded by his son Mojtaba Khamenei, a hereditary succession that contradicts the founding principles of the Islamic Republic and has faced widespread criticism.

Anti-government protests, which began in late 2025, continued this Tuesday, with human rights organizations reporting between 2,614 and 3,428 deaths.

This is not the first time Pahlavi has made such an appeal. In June 2025, he told the BBC that the Islamic Republic was in a "terminal stage," and at the start of Operation Epic Fury, he described the offensive as a "humanitarian intervention," urging President Trump to exercise maximum caution to avoid civilian casualties.

Coordinated Action and International Reactions

To coordinate action, Pahlavi invited Iranians to contact his team through the Telegram channel "BarkhizIranBot" and join the "National Cooperation Campaign to Save Iran." The video amassed over 2.5 million views in less than 24 hours.

On the same day Pahlavi made his call, Mojtaba Khamenei demanded that the United States accept Tehran's conditions to end the war, indicating that despite its weakened state, the regime shows no intention of yielding.