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Exiled Prince Urges Iran Military: Lay Down Arms, Join People Against Regime

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has publicly called on Iran's military to lay down its weapons and join the people against the current regime. His statement follows the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late leader, as Iran's new Supreme Leader. Pahlavi claimed the Iranian people broadly support U.S. and Israeli efforts to weaken the Islamic Republic's security infrastructure. The region remains tense after recent strikes that killed the former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Key Points: Iran's Exiled Prince Calls on Military to Abandon Regime

  • Pahlavi calls for military to defect
  • New Supreme Leader appointed
  • U.S., Israel actions have public support
  • Regime accused of using human shields
  • Tensions high after strikes killed former leader
3 min read

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Pahlavi urges Iran's military to lay down arms, join people against regime

Reza Pahlavi urges Iran's armed forces to side with the people after the appointment of a new, hardline Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

"To Iran's own military: lay down your arms and join the people. If you do, there will be a place for you in a free Iran. - Reza Pahlavi"

Washington DC, March 9

Following the appointment of a new Supreme Leader for Iran by the country's Assembly of Experts, exiled crown prince of the country Reza Pahlavi on Monday called on the Islamic Republic's military to lay down arms and join the Iranian people against the current regime, saying those who stand with the people now will have a place in a "free Iran".

In a post on X, Pahlavi said the Iranian people broadly support efforts by the United States and Israel to weaken the Islamic Republic's security apparatus, while accusing the leadership of using civilians as "human shields."

"The American and Israeli resolve to decimate the Revolutionary Guards and dismantle the Islamic Republic's infrastructure of terror has the broad support of the Iranian people," the exiled crown prince stated in his post.

"The current regime's despicable use of Iranians as human shields is a crime against humanity. The safety of civilians and the protection of Iran's vital, national infrastructure must remain a priority," he added.

Addressing Iran's armed forces directly, the exiled crown prince urged soldiers and officers to side with the public rather than the ruling establishment.

"To Iran's own military: lay down your arms and join the people. If you do, there will be a place for you in a free Iran," Pahlavi added.

The statement comes after Iran's Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic on Sunday announced the appointment of the late leader's son, 56-year-old cleric Mojtaba Khamenei, to the position.

Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, who is said to be more hardline than his father, was announced as the third Supreme Leader of Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

The announcement, following a decision by the country's Assembly of Experts after days of deliberation marking a pivotal moment in the political and religious leadership of the Islamic Republic.

The clerical body responsible for appointing the country's supreme leader confirmed the decision in a formal statement, declaring, "By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Born in 1969 in the city of Mashhad, Mojtaba Khamenei is the second son of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran's supreme leader for nearly four decades.

The development comes amid escalated tensions in West Asia, following the killing of 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28. The strikes also killed several senior leaders of the Islamic Republic.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
From a geopolitical perspective, this is a significant development. The appointment of a more hardline leader could destabilize West Asia further. India has strong ties with Iran, especially for energy and Chabahar port. Our government must navigate this very carefully.
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Ananya R
The call for the military to join the people is a huge ask. It's easy to say from exile. The ground reality for soldiers must be terrifying. My heart goes out to the ordinary Iranian civilians caught in this. No one should be used as a human shield. Terrible.
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Vikram M
As an Indian, I see parallels with how external forces can shape a country's destiny. But Pahlavi openly supporting US-Israel actions? That's a double-edged sword. The Iranian people deserve freedom, but not at the cost of becoming a puppet state. Jai Hind.
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Karthik V
The son succeeding the father as Supreme Leader feels like a monarchy in clerical clothing. So much for their revolution. Pahlavi's message is bold, but his alliance with America and Israel might backfire. The region doesn't need more war, it needs stability and dialogue.
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Priya S
First and foremost, the protection of civilians is paramount. Using people as shields is a horrific crime. I hope the situation de-escalates. India should offer to play a mediating role if possible—we have historically good relations with the Iranian people.

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