Reza Pahlavi hails US-Israeli air strikes as ‘humanitarian intervention,’ urges Iranians to prepare for ‘final battle’

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi, has described the ongoing military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel as a long-promised “humanitarian intervention” aimed at dismantling the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus rather than harming the Iranian nation.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) early Saturday amid reports of explosions in Tehran and other cities, Pahlavi said the assistance pledged by the American leadership to Iranians seeking political change had now materialised.

“The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived,” he stated, adding that the military action is directed at “the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter—not the country and great nation of Iran.”

Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last monarch, emphasised that despite external support, the responsibility for change ultimately rests with the Iranian people.

“While support has arrived, the final victory will still be forged by our hands,” he said. “It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle.”

He signalled that a renewed wave of street protests could be imminent, declaring that “the time to return to the streets is near,” though he urged caution for the moment.

Addressing citizens inside Iran directly, he advised them to remain indoors temporarily for their safety.

“I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate time—which I will announce to you precisely—you can return to the streets for the final action,” Pahlavi said.

He encouraged supporters to follow his updates through social media platforms, satellite channels or radio broadcasts in the event of internet or satellite disruptions.

In a pointed appeal to members of Iran’s military, police and security agencies, Pahlavi called on them to reconsider their loyalty to the ruling establishment.

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“You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian people—not the Islamic Republic and its leaders,” he said. “Your duty is to defend the people, not a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime.”

He urged security personnel to side with the populace to facilitate what he described as a “stable and secure transition,” warning that failure to do so would tie their fate to that of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and the current system of governance.

Pahlavi also conveyed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for backing Iranian opposition forces, while urging caution to minimise civilian harm.

“I urge the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots,” he said, describing Iranians as “natural allies” of the United States and the wider free world.

According to him, the Iranian people “will never forget your support in the most difficult period in contemporary Iranian history.”

Concluding his message, Pahlavi expressed confidence that the current developments mark a decisive turning point in Iran’s political trajectory.

“We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran,” he declared, ending with the slogan: “Long live Iran.”