After calling Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a ‘Frightened Rat,’ Former Crown Prince of Iran, Raza Pahlavi, has sought a “regime change” in Tehran. He said that the current “regime is defeated, teetering on the edge of collapse, and must not be allowed to continue”, and that “the time has come to end this ruin and begin a new era for Iran.
In his opening remarks at a press conference here, Raza Pahlavi said it is “a Berlin wall” moment for the people of Iran and “the regime is on its last legs, in towns and cities across the country”. He said this is a new dawn for Iran’s Lion and Sun.
Raza Pahlavi’s latest remarks came after the US joined the conflict between Israel and Iran and bombed Iran’s three underground nuclear facilities. Raza Pahlavi lashed out at Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and said there is only one way to achieve peace “a secular, democratic Iran”.
Calling upon Ali Khamenei to step down, Raza Pahlavi said if he does so he will receive a fair trial. Raza Pahlavi announced that he is establishing a formal channel for military, security, and police personnel to reach out directly to him, his team, “and our expanding operation”. “This is a secure platform to efficiently manage the growing volume of inbound communications and requests from those breaking with the regime and seeking to join our movement,” he said.
Raza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since 1971, said he is “stepping forward to lead a national transition–not out of personal interest but as a servant of the Iranian people”.
“I have a clear plan for transition and national renewal. Our transition and future democracy will be based on these three core principles: 1. Iran’s territorial Integrity 2. Individual liberties and equality of all citizens 3. Separation of religion and state The final form of this future democracy we seek will be for the Iranian people to decide in a national referendum,” he said.
“What I offer is not just a vision for the future of our country but the plan to execute a peaceful, orderly transition. To achieve that, today I am announcing the following initial steps: First, I will convene a national unity summit. This gathering will include activists, dissidents, and groups from across the ideological spectrum who agree to the three principles I outlined above. But it will not be limited just to political groups but business leaders, professionals, experts and other groups with influence across Iranian society. This summit’s objective will be to agree on a roadmap for democratic transition and reconstruction,” he added.
The former Crown Prince said that in parallel to the democratic process, he is developing an economic plan to rebuild Iran.
“We have already launched the Iran Prosperity Project (IPP), a comprehensive plan for the economic reconstruction and social stabilisation of our country in three phases. The Emergency Phase of the first 4-6 months, the Establishment Phase of 18-24 months, and the Normalisation Phase, which is long-term. In the coming days, my team of experts will publish the plans for the first 100 days after the collapse of the Islamic Republic based on this work,” he said.
“We are bringing together some of the world’s greatest investors, builders, entrepreneurs, and experts who care about Iran and see its immense potential. They stand ready to put in the expertise, the talent, and the capital to rebuild our nation and turn it into one of the world’s most attractive markets. Imagine this new Iran,” he added.
He said a free and democratic Iran, living at peace with our neighbours, an engine of growth and opportunity in the region, a beacon of culture, innovation, and pride in the world, “is within our reach”.
He said a free and democratic Iran, living at peace with our neighbours, an engine of growth and opportunity in the region, a beacon of culture, innovation, and pride in the world, “is within our reach”.
“We are proud, ancient, resilient people. The task before us Iranians today is no less than the one faced by the great leaders. The great unifiers, the great builders of our history ,like Cyrus the Great. As we embark on the final steps on this path to national revival, to liberation, to peace, we continue to be inspired by him. To my compatriots: This is our moment. I am with you. Let us build this new Iran together,” he said.
“Our beloved Iran has been dragged into a devastating conflict, the architect of which is none other than Ali Khamenei and his corrupt, destructive faction. He has driven our nation’s economy to the brink of collapse, plundered our national infrastructure and resources, squandered the nation’s wealth on developing nuclear weapons, shattered Iran’s security, and stolen the sovereignty of the Iranian people,” he added. Raza Pahlavi said that over the past few days, he has spoken with people across Iran from every walk of life.
‘Khamenei Is Hiding Like A Frightened Rat’
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former king (shah), has called for a change in the country’s leadership. He said that the Islamic Republic is close to collapsing and urged Iranians to “reclaim Iran.” Amid rising tensions with Israel, Pahlavi sharply criticised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming he had “gone into hiding underground” like a “frightened rat” and had lost control of the country. He described the situation in Iran as “irreversible.”
(With ANI Inputs)
