Prince Reza Pahlavi's message about the Khuzestan protests: Each of us has a duty not to leave them alone

On Monday, July 19, Prince Reza Pahlavi issued a message addressed to "military personnel and compatriots" regarding the Khuzestan protests, saying: "Now that the people of Khuzestan have risen up bravely, each of us has a duty not to leave them alone."

In this message, he emphasized adherence to the "important and key principle of avoiding violence," stating that the "greatest and most powerful weapon" of the opponents of the Islamic Republic is the "countless crowd" and "solidarity and unity," and said: "No government is capable of confronting the will of a united nation."

In this message, Prince Reza Pahlavi called Ali Khamenei the "criminal leader of the Islamic Republic" and introduced him as "directly responsible for the unjustly shed blood in Khuzestan" who, "in order to preserve the regime," "ordered the killing of protesting people" and "responded with bullets to the people who came to the streets empty-handed for water, bread, and freedom."

He went on to address the official Iranian military and law enforcement forces, saying that their national and human duty as Iranian soldiers is to “defend and protect” the people. He also emphasized that they do not have the right to “shoot at people and youth who have come to the streets empty-handed and without violence,” and that they are obligated to “defend their innocent and thirsty compatriots against the anti-patriotic regime and its oppressive ration-eaters and mercenaries.”

Prince Reza Pahlavi also called on these forces to "stand in solidarity with the nation and live with dignity."

Reports and images published on social media indicate that widespread protests by the people of Khuzestan Province continued for the fifth consecutive night on Monday evening, July 19.

Source: Voice of America