Reza Pahlavi: “The Islamic Republic is the cause of Iran’s current crisis”
Reza Pahlavi, by releasing a message addressed to the people of Iran, particularly residents of southern provinces, characterized the Islamic Republic as the sole cause of the current crisis and conflict, emphasizing: “The real war—that is, the Islamic Republic’s war against the Iranian people—began forty-seven years ago.” While calling on people to prioritize their lives and security, he spoke of a vision for a free Iran with development and prosperity for all provinces.
Reza Pahlavi, following increased military tensions and concerns about the expansion of attacks on southern regions of Iran, released a message addressed to the Iranian people, particularly citizens of Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, and Khuzestan provinces, as well as residents of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea coasts. He held the Islamic Republic directly responsible for the country’s current situation and urged people to prioritize the protection of their lives and security.
In a section of this message, he introduced the Islamic Republic as the principal cause of war and crises facing Iran today, saying: “Today, with escalating tensions and the possibility of expanding attacks, particularly in the south of the country, I wish to speak with you; especially with the noble people of Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan, and all residents of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea coasts.
The war and crisis that our country faces today has only one author and instigator: the Islamic Republic regime. However, the real war—that is, the Islamic Republic’s war against the Iranian people—began forty-seven years ago and has continued until today.”
Reza Pahlavi continued by referencing the situation of southern provinces, emphasizing that these regions have long struggled with poverty, deprivation, and the lack of basic infrastructure, and it should not be assumed that they have only recently become embroiled in crisis.
He stated in this regard: “The entire Iranian nation has been wounded by this regime. Let us not allow them to say that southern Iran has only recently entered the war. Southern Iran entered the war from the day when Baluch children became victims of *gandus* due to the lack of drinking water and basic infrastructure; from the day when in Sistan and Baluchestan, the land of Rostam and the heart of Iran’s legends, young people were forced to resort to fuel smuggling to earn a livelihood; from the day when Hormozgan province and Bandar Abbas, Iran’s largest port, were abandoned in poverty and deprivation; from the day when Bushehr, supplier of a large portion of the country’s gas, and Khuzestan, the heart of Iran’s oil industry, remained deprived of their own wealth.”
He also sketched a vision of Iran’s future after the Islamic Republic, stating that with the establishment of a national, efficient, and development-oriented government, southern provinces could transform into economic, commercial, and tourism hubs in the region. He referenced the potential of Chabahar, southern ports, oil and gas industries, and domestic and foreign investment as opportunities that, according to him, have been neglected under the Islamic Republic’s policies.
In another section of his message, Reza Pahlavi accused the Islamic Republic of using non-military centers for military purposes, saying: “This war-mongering regime has created neither shelter for the people nor has the capacity to defend the country’s skies. While its leaders hide underground, they use schools, hospitals, and other civilian centers for military purposes, and have turned the Iranian people, including conscripted soldiers, into human shields in military barracks.”
In conclusion, he urged people to regard the protection of their lives, security, and health of themselves and their families as their most important priority, adding: “In the war that the Islamic Republic has imposed on the country, your first and most important duty is to protect the lives, security, and health of yourselves and your families. Because you are Iran’s capital and the true soldiers in the struggle to reclaim your homeland.”
These remarks were released at a time when, concurrent with escalating military tensions in the region, concerns about security and humanitarian consequences in Iran have also increased. In recent years, critics of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly held this government responsible for exacerbating domestic and regional crises, believing that the Islamic Republic’s policies have, in addition to international isolation, imposed heavy costs on Iranian citizens’ lives. In contrast, Islamic Republic officials have rejected these accusations and described their policies within the framework of protecting national security and interests. This section has been added to maintain news balance and reflect the perspectives of different parties.
