Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch, issued a sharply worded message on Friday calling on Iranian military and security forces to abandon the Islamic Republic and join a popular movement to reclaim the country.

In a post written in Persian and shared across his official social media platforms, Pahlavi accused Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of forcing the Iranian people into a war that does not represent their will.

“Ali Khamenei, the reckless leader of the anti-Iranian Islamic Republic regime, has once again involved our country in a war,” Pahlavi wrote. “This is not Iran’s war, nor the war of the Iranian people. It is Khamenei’s war and the Islamic Republic’s war.”

The statement comes amid growing regional tensions, including fears of escalation between Iran and Israel.

A direct appeal to the armed forces

Pahlavi also addressed members of Iran’s armed forces, police, and intelligence services directly, urging them to separate themselves from the regime and “join the people.”
People walk near a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA)
People walk near a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA)
“This regime and its corrupt, incompetent leaders do not value your lives or the future of our Iran,” he said.

He described the current moment as “a battle between the Iranian nation and the destructive Islamic Republic,” and called for regime change through mass protests and a general strike.

Opposition in exile

Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and currently resides in the United States, has emerged as a leading opposition figure in recent years. Despite his claim to the throne, he does not advocate for the restoration of the monarchy, supporting a secular and democratic future for Iran.

“In these difficult moments, I stand with you,” he said. “We are all in this fight together, and we will be victorious.”

The message comes amid long-standing dissatisfaction within Iran, fueled by economic hardship, political repression, and international isolation. Protests erupted in late 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, with demonstrators calling for an end to clerical rule.