MUNICH, Germany – Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the overthrown Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, called on senior commanders within the Iranian military and security forces to break with the Islamic Republic and the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday. The appeal, issued from his exile in the United States, framed itself within the context of a potential U.S. Military intervention, which he described as more likely than ever, presenting it as a “window of opportunity” for officers he claims have not participated in the repression of civilians.
According to a statement released by his team, Pahlavi presented military commanders with a stark choice: “Join the people, protect yourselves and your families and share in the nation’s victory, or tie your fate to the downfall of the Islamic Republic and fall with Khamenei and his regime.” No official response to the call was immediately forthcoming from any Iranian military command.
The appeal comes at a time of heightened regional tension. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet in Jerusalem on Monday amid speculation regarding a possible U.S. Strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Europa Press. Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department ordered the departure of non-essential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, citing a deteriorating security environment in the Middle East.
Student protests also spread to nine Iranian universities on Monday, with reports of flags of the Islamic Republic being burned and slogans chanted against the government.
Pahlavi’s statement also announced the launch of Iran National Revolution TV, a live-streaming television channel intended to retain the Iranian population informed and serve as a point of contact through a “special team.” This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase his media visibility in recent weeks.
Pahlavi left Iran in 1979, at the age of 17, while undergoing military training in the United States. He has since asserted his claim as the heir to the throne and consistently advocated for regime change in Tehran. His position has evolved in recent months. in October 2025, he stated that foreign military intervention was “not the direction they wanted to move,” but at the Munich Security Conference held over the weekend, he openly supported armed action by Washington.
The Islamic Republic is currently facing a severe economic crisis that has fueled waves of protests since January. These demonstrations, which have resulted in thousands of casualties, have provided Pahlavi with a renewed platform to assert his role in the debate over the country’s future. The United States and Iran are engaged in indirect talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program, with recent rounds held in Oman and another session scheduled in Geneva. Pahlavi has openly opposed these negotiations, deeming them futile and a lifeline for the current regime.
