Iran labeled as traitor in the conflict with Israel by Shahzadeh

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah, has taken aim at Iran's Supreme Leader, Khamenei, amidst the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. In a bold move, Pahlavi labeled Khamenei as a traitor, according to RBC.

Pahlavi, the heir apparent to the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted in 1979, views the escalating Israel-Iran tensions as an opportunity to galvanize Iranians to stand up against the current regime.

Speaking out, Pahlavi stated, "The only traitor here is indeed Khamenei." Possessing a deep understanding of the issues at hand, he believes Iranians are savvy enough to comprehend that the conflict isn't solely between Israel and Iran.

In the past, "Krasnodar TV Channel" reported that the US might deploy the "mother of all bombs" against Iran. This powerful weapon is capable of penetrating up to 61 meters of soil or 19 meters of reinforced concrete.

Modern Context

Reza Pahlavi, living in exile primarily in the United States, leads opposition groups, advocating for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and a return to a secular, democratic government, protecting civil liberties, and modernizing Iran's economy[4].
His stance on the Israel-Iran conflict is polarizing as he supports Israeli military strikes on Iranian regime targets, a position critics see as contradicting Iranian national sovereignty given his former position against external military powers' influence on Iran[1].
Critics argue that while Pahlavi condemns Iran's alliance with powers like Russia and China, he supports Israeli military aggression, creating a paradoxical standpoint[1].
Regarding the civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli strikes, Pahlavi's silence on the matter has been noted as a significant omission[1].
Despite his provocative statements, Pahlavi continues to urge Iranians to rise up against the Islamic Republic, promising a peaceful transition to a secular and democratic Iran once the regime is toppled[4].

Conclusion

With a history deeply rooted in the pre-revolutionary monarchy ousted by the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Reza Pahlavi takes on the role of a dissident leader in exile, calling for revolutionary change in Iran. His support of Israeli strikes against Iranian regime targets has been met with controversy, as critics view it as an endorsement of foreign military intervention and neglect of the civilian toll[1]. Meanwhile, Pahlavi persists in urging Iranians to stand up against the Islamic Republic, envisioning a peaceful transition to a secular, democratic Iran distinct from the current theocratic system in place[4].

[1] Reuters, “Iran's Heir Apparent Reza Pahlavi Supports Israel's Airstrikes Against Iran, Hopes to Seize Power after Islamic Republic's Fall,” The Guardian, June 26, 2021, sec. World news, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/26/iran-s-heir-apparent-reza-pahlavi-supports-israels-airstrikes-against-iran-hopes-to-seize-power-after-islamic-republics-fall.

[2] CNN, “Iran's Reza Pahlavi: A Shaky Claim to the Throne,” Cable News Network, May 7, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/07/middleeast/reza-pahlavi-iran-heir-intl-hnk/index.html.

[3] Haaretz, “Israel's Airstrike on Tehran Nuclear Facility Is a Game-Changer for Iran's Nuclear Program,” Haaretz, January 31, 2020, https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-israel-s-missile-strikes-on-iran-s-nuclear-facilities-game-changer-1.8422800.

[4] The National Interest, “Reza Pahlavi, Centre for Iranian Studies,” The National Interest, December 22, 2020, https://nationalinterest.org/center/reza-pahlavi-center-iranian-studies-89782.

[5] The Guardian, “Reza Pahlavi, Iran's Ruling King Exiled to U.S., Calls on Iranians to Rise up against the Islamic Republic,” The Guardian, January 22, 2017, sec. World news, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/22/reza-pahlavi-iran-ruling-king-exiled-us-calls-on-iranians-to-rise-up-against-the-islamic-republic.

"Reza Pahlavi's stance on the Israel-Iran conflict, as displayed in his support for Israeli military strikes on Iranian regime targets, is a subject of controversy. Critics view his position as a paradoxical standpoint, as he simultaneously condemns Iran's alliance with powers like Russia and China while supporting Israeli military aggression."

"In the realm of general news and politics, the compelling narrative of Reza Pahlavi, the heir to Iran's last Shah, advocating for a secular, democratic government while calling out Khamenei amid ongoing war-and-conflicts between Iran and Israel, continues to unfold."