In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi addressed the current political crisis gripping Iran, declaring the Islamic Republic more vulnerable than ever and appealing for international backing of civil resistance movements seeking to end the rule of the ayatollahs. Pahlavi emphasized his willingness to risk his life for his country’s future and called on Western governments to shift their focus from military interventions and negotiations to tangible support for local pro-democracy activists.
The opposition figure’s warnings come amid mounting unrest in Iran, renewed by widespread protests over economic hardship, political repression, and ongoing abuses committed by the authorities. The Iranian regime, led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, faces its most persistent domestic challenge in decades following the 2022 killing of Mahsa Amini and subsequent crackdowns by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to human rights organizations and independent observers, thousands of civilians have been arrested, tortured, or killed in a campaign that underscores the regime’s resolve to maintain power through force and intimidation.
Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch, explicitly rejected any intention to restore the monarchy, instead urging a transition to a secular, democratic system. Throughout the interview, he underscored the distinction between the regime’s Islamic ideology and the basic aspirations of millions of Iranians who, he argued, seek personal freedom, economic stability, and open engagement with the world.
The former crown prince called on the United States, Europe, and democratic allies to provide technological and financial support to protesters and opposition networks within Iran. He urged Western policy makers to move away from appeasement, pointing out that diplomatic engagement and nuclear deals have often enabled Tehran’s repressive apparatus and subsidized its destabilizing foreign policy. The persistence of the regime, he argued, is inseparable from the violence it exports—including the arming, funding, and direction of terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Shiite militias throughout the region.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian government has positioned itself as the central force in what it has termed the ‘Axis of Resistance,’ mobilizing proxies to undermine Israeli security and destabilize neighboring states. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have repeatedly cited the IRGC-directed terror threat posed by Iran and its affiliates, underlining the direct connection between Iran’s external aggression and the situation of its own people.
In his remarks, Pahlavi criticized Western nations for failing to seize what he described as a historic opportunity. He maintained that the current protest movement represents a genuine alternative to Iran’s clerical regime, and suggested that miscalculations and indecision by foreign powers could prolong the suffering of Iranians and further destabilize the region. As he outlined, meaningful change in Tehran would not only relieve internal repression, but also diminish the state’s capacity to project violence against its neighbors, particularly Israel, through proxy warfare.
Several analysts note that Pahlavi operates from exile and lacks formal authority, relying instead on his symbolic status among segments of the Iranian diaspora and opposition. Nonetheless, his position resonates amid the ongoing turbulence inside Iran and the mounting pressure on the Islamic Republic from both domestic dissenters and international sanctions regimes.
As the internal protest movement continues, the situation remains highly volatile. Western governments face difficult choices in calibrating their response—balancing concerns about potential instability with the imperative to support those within Iran risking everything for a free society. Any resolution to Iran’s crisis will have direct implications for the security of Israel and the dynamics of conflict across the entire Middle East.
Pahlavi concluded by reiterating his commitment to the future of the Iranian people: “It is their struggle, and only they can determine their path. But those who cherish freedom across the world have a duty to stand with them against tyranny.”
The interview comes as the Islamic Republic continues to face international condemnation for its human rights abuses and its ongoing support for terrorist organizations. Many in Israel and beyond view potential political transition in Iran as a crucial opportunity to advance regional stability and curb the persistent threats directed at the Jewish state. Ultimately, the future of both Iran and its neighbors will largely depend on the emerging dynamic between domestic opposition movements and the policies of democratic alliances.
