Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has called on Iranians to return to the streets, urging renewed nationwide protests despite one of the deadliest crackdowns since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In a message posted on social media platform X on Friday, Pahlavi appealed to citizens to resume demonstrations over the weekend, saying public pressure remains critical to challenging clerical rule.
Addressing what he described as his “brave compatriots,” the US-based son of Iran’s last Shah asked protesters to gather in public squares from Saturday through Monday. “Raise your voices of anger and protest,” Pahlavi wrote, adding that the world is watching and would offer “clearer and more practical support” if Iranians continue to show courage on the streets.
The appeal comes after days of uneasy calm following violent unrest that erupted in late December over economic hardship and rapidly escalated into demands for regime change. Opposition groups say security forces killed more than 2,600 people as authorities responded with mass arrests, internet shutdowns and warnings of executions for detained protesters.
Pahlavi has emerged as one of the most prominent voices of Iran’s fractured opposition, repeatedly calling for sustained pressure on the government. He has accused authorities of using overwhelming force, including foreign militia fighters, to suppress dissent. Speaking earlier at a news conference in Washington, he claimed that parts of Iran’s security apparatus had refused to take part in the crackdown.
“The Iranian people are taking decisive action on the ground,” Pahlavi said, urging the international community to step up pressure on Tehran. He called for tougher measures against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and advocated a targeted approach to weaken the regime’s ability to repress protests.
Meanwhile, tensions with the United States appeared to ease slightly after President Donald Trump said he had been informed that killings in Iran were slowing and that planned mass executions had been halted. However, additional US military assets are still expected to move into the region, underscoring the fragile and volatile situation.
Pahlavi’s renewed call highlights the persistent undercurrent of unrest in Iran, as opposition figures seek to reignite public demonstrations while the government tightens its grip amid growing international scrutiny.
