The Islamic Republic's downfall would lead to sustainable peace and prosperity in the Middle East, Iranian exiled prince Reza Pahlavi said on Saturday, calling for unity among dissidents during a major opposition gathering in Munich.
“This regime has poisoned our soil, air, and economy and dragged Iran to the edge of destruction. Ali Khamenei should know his regime is crumbling, many around him despise him, and thousands of his own forces are waiting to abandon the sinking ship,” Pahlavi said in his speech.
The Islamic Republic has lost its grip and is now weaker than ever, he said. “For the first time in decades, we have a real chance to uproot this anti-Iranian regime.”
The prince had earlier told Politico that over 50,000 state insiders including members of the military had registered with his platform to assist in the Islamic Republic’s downfall.
“Ending the Islamic Republic will bring lasting security and peace to the region,” he added, calling on all opposition groups to united around a transition plan.
“We, patriots who believe in freedom, are not like the criminals who order executions from rooftops,” he said, vowing that even Khamenei will enjoy a fair trial in the post-Islamic Republic Iran.
Exiled Queen and Nobel laureate rally support
In a video message, Iran's exiled Queen Farah Pahlavi backed the calls for unity, expressing admiration for Iranians’ resolve. “You have been suffering for more than four decades. It is your right to freedom, welfare, and sovereignty."
“I am behind you and the national revolution of Iran. I believe that with the will and solidarity of the people, greatness and glory will return to our historic land.”
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi also addressed the Munich event through a video message.
“The political structure and constitution (of the Islamic Republic) do not allow for any kind of reforms, and to achieve a democratic and secular government in which all citizens, regardless of political or religious beliefs or any other kind of differences, enjoy equal rights, there is no path but the overthrow of the regime and holding a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations," she said.
Ebadi said she is neither a monarchist nor a republican, but added that “hand in hand, we must strive to overthrow the regime and free ourselves from the demon of despotism."
"At the ballot box, each person will express their preferred form of government. Today is the time to choose.”
Protest victims' families
The gathering, which brought together over 500 figures from political, academic, and cultural spheres, also featured testimony from family members of protest victims.
“My Erfan is gone, but countless Erfans are rising from the soil,” said the mother of Erfan Dashti, a young man killed in the 2022 protests. Addressing Pahlavi directly, she added: “You are our only hope to reclaim our home.”
Mahboubeh Ramazani, whose son Pejman Qolipour was killed in the November 2019 crackdown, said: “This unity gives us joy because it means we will return. We want our Iran back from the enemies.”
The father of child protest victim Abolfazl Amirataei accused the Islamic Republic of squandering national wealth on regional adventurism, saying it “turned all reserves into dollars to fund chaos abroad.”
Danial Ilkhanipour, a member of the Hamburg State Parliament, said the window to act was narrowing. “There are only two options on the table. A democratic Iran or a more ruthless regime,” he said. He praised Pahlavi for understanding the urgency and called on opposition groups to move beyond ideology.
The event’s organizers said it was the most diverse opposition coalition ever convened outside Iran.
Pahlavi earlier called the event “perhaps the largest gathering ever” of anti-Islamic Republic voices since the 1979 revolution, aiming to project unity among opposition groups and reach audiences inside Iran.
He said all participants back three core principles: preserving Iran’s territorial integrity, defending individual freedoms and equality, and separating religion from the state.
“This opportunity will not last forever,” Pahlavi warned in his Saturday speech. “But with unity and resolve, we can seize it and reclaim Iran’s future.”
