Iranian exiled prince Reza Pahlavi issued a statement on the anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel in an effort to reassure Iran’s neighbors that a revolution in Iran that topples its Islamic rulers would not add to the turmoil in the region.
“I say to you, our friends across the Middle East…this regime that has held us hostage for nearly half a century must go,” he said in a video statement on X. “I know you might fear change might bring chaos. But fear not, we will not allow a power vacuum to follow the collapse of the regime.”
Pahlavi has been calling for the fall of the current Iranian authorities for many years, appealing to western governments mainly. His recent message is addressed to regional powers, however, and has been published not just in English but also Hebrew and Arabic.
It appears to be an attempt to counter the Islamic Republic’s claim to be leading the fight against Israel and the US on behalf of the people of Muslims in the Middle East and beyond.
“(The Islamic Republic) has fueled sectarian conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon… It uses the Palestinians as human shields,” Pahlavi said. “The tyrant in Tehran couches his warmongering in Iranian nationalism. But he does not speak for our nation.”
The statement came as Israel weighs its options to retaliate against Iran's missile attack of 1 October. A day earlier, the exiled prince had expressed optimism that once the Islamic Republic is removed, there could be peaceful relations between Iran and Israel.
Interview with Fox News
“The end of this regime will mean an end to all these problems,” Pahlavi told in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
Monday marked a year since Hamas forces stormed southern Israel, killing several hundred civilians and taking over 250 hostages. Since then, Israel has carried out extensive operations in Gaza, killing more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health officials.
Iran's leaders have praised Hamas for the attack, asserting that the country had no role in its planning or execution. Nonetheless, the Islamic Republic's unreserved support for armed groups who fight against Israel has put it on a collision course with Israel.
“If they provoke more escalation... it will create an incredible economic shock to the nation that will not be advantageous even to the regime itself,” Pahlavi said.
