Crown Prince Pahlavi: Ali Khamenei Frightened by Waves of National Uprising, Emerges from Hiding

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, referring to the spread of nationwide protests in Iran, said: “Ali Khamenei, frightened by the waves of national uprising, has emerged from his hiding place and is threatening the Iranian people.”

A week has passed since the onset of nationwide protests that began in Tehran’s grand bazaar and spread to various cities. Crown Prince Pahlavi, by releasing various messages addressed to the Iranian people, announced his and other countries’ support for this nationwide uprising and encouraged people to stand firm.

In a new message over the past few hours, he addressed Ali Khamenei, saying: “Khamenei! We, the people of Iran, will topple you from your seat like Zahak and free our Iran from you and your regime.”

He also addressed military and security forces, saying: “Do not tie your fate to the sinking ship of the Islamic Republic. Join the people and separate yourselves from the corrupt system. Your weapons are for defending the people, not suppressing them. Those who fire bullets at the people should be assured that they will be identified and punished.”

The Crown Prince released a new message to the Iranian people and said: “Compatriots, do not abandon the streets; expand your presence. The world sees your resistance and courage and supports you. My words are particularly directed at the people of Tehran, who courageously initiated a new wave of national uprising.”

The message also states: “The Islamic Republic is trying to prevent the formation of gatherings in Tehran; because it well knows that taking control of Tehran’s streets and other major cities will seriously accelerate its downfall.”
According to Reza Pahlavi’s belief, there is one path ahead to overcome the regime’s suppression: the simultaneous and massive presence of people throughout the city, and simultaneously creating blockades on key axes and main roads.” He says: “With the formation of a massive flood of people, the regime’s suppression forces will not have the ability to resist.”

In messages released on January 2 and 3, 2026, Crown Prince Pahlavi again emphasized the importance of massive presence in the streets, particularly Tehran, and said that the Islamic Republic is trying to prevent gatherings because it knows that taking control of the streets will accelerate its downfall. He added: “Go to the nearest street in your neighborhood and hand in hand move toward the city’s central streets.”

This statement shows that the opposition leader emphasizes practical leadership and step-by-step guidance of the protests, not merely general slogans.

Reza Pahlavi also remembered the deceased in his message and considered them, in line with people’s slogans against security crackdowns, the true heroes of Iran.

According to published reports, nationwide protests have continued over the past few days in over 100 Iranian cities and provinces, and videos published on social media indicate casualties, arrests, and suppression of people by security forces.

Ali Khamenei also said in his latest official remarks that demonstrations should be contained “in their place” and called critics and protesters “rioters.” According to analysts, this type of reaction from the regime’s highest authority is a sign of severe concern about a widespread national uprising, which Reza Pahlavi and other opposition figures have also called for.

Reza Pahlavi structured his message around several key axes:

• Continuation of the national uprising and massive presence in the streets to accelerate the regime’s downfall.
• Calling on military and security forces to separate from the Islamic Republic and join the people.
• Emphasizing the role of the people of Tehran and other cities in shaping political transformation.
• Support for the deceased and honoring them as heroes of the nation.

These messages show that he is actively trying to take on the intellectual and practical leadership of the popular movement during this sensitive phase of Iran’s developments.