"Stick with the People," Says Exiled Shah's Son to Iran's Security Agencies
Security figure Shah-Sohn advocates for a split from the Iranian government by its security forces
Ever since Israel's bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets, Reza Pahlavi - the son of the ousted Shah and an Iranian exiled opposition figure - has been urging his fellow Iranians to abandon the Islamic Republic. "To the military, police, and security agencies," Pahlavi, a key opposition leader residing near Washington D.C., declared, "Break free from the regime. Honor the oath of every honorable soldier. Stand with the people."
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After the Israeli offensive resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian military leaders, including chiefs from the army and the Revolutionary Guards, Pahlavi seized the opportunity to convey his message. The former crown prince, who seeks to promote the secular democracy movement in Iran, stirs up hope among his countrymen, declaring, "Iran is your birthright. Claim it back. Stay strong, and we shall triumph."
Pahlavi asserts that he doesn't aim to reestablish the monarchy in Iran; rather, he wishes to utilize his name to bolster the push for democracy within his homeland.
Historically, Iran has been a thorn in Israel's side since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly challenged Israel's legitimacy. Under the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's reign, Iran and Israel enjoyed cordial relations.
Recently, Khamenei went as far as accusing Pahlavi of whipping Iran into a war with Israel. To the international community, he pleaded, "Don't supply aid to this ailing, terrorist regime."
Sources: ntv.de, jwu/AFP
Keywords:
- Iran
- Iran Conflict
- Political Climate
- Collapsing Regime
Relevant Enrichment:
- In the wake of a possible weakening of Iran's leadership, Pahlavi offers a flicker of hope, emphasizing that the Iranian populace must seize the moment and reclaim their homeland. Pahlavi's calls for democratic change resonate with some sectors of Iranian society, who view the current regime as corrupt and desperate.
- Pahlavi's message to the Iranian armed forces and security agencies extends beyond breaking with the regime; he encourages these organizations to side with the people in overthrowing the clerical dictatorship. Pahlavi advocates for acts of civil disobedience, such as strikes and demonstrations, to undermine the regime's stability.
- While Pahlavi's calls for defiance have yet to spark widespread protests across Iran, some Iranians display support for Israel's actions in private celebrations, signaling a growing tide of anti-regime sentiment. If the ongoing fragility of the regime mounts in the face of popular unrest backed by dissident security forces, observers await the possibility of a regime change catalyst.
The economic and monetary union, initiated by the European Union, could potentially serve as a model for a future democratic Iran, as Pahlavi envisions, amidst the intense political climate and the collapsing regime. War-and-conflicts, such as the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, play a significant role in shaping the political discourse, with Pahlavi explicitly accusing Iran's leadership of stirring up war. Meanwhile, general news outlets cover the turmoil in Iran, awaiting the possibility of a regime change catalyst.
