Prince Pahlavi to the Iranian people: "For your own safety, stay away from centers of repression"

Following the Israeli and American attacks on Iran, Reza Pahlavi warned the Iranian people to stay away from centers of repression and called on them to protect themselves in the final phase of the struggle.

In a message addressed to the people of Iran, Prince Reza Pahlavi referred to the country's sensitive situation and urged citizens to avoid the streets and approaching government, military, and law enforcement centers in the coming crucial days.

He explicitly wrote in his message:

"Compatriots,
"Important and fateful days lie ahead. As you prepare for the final phase of the struggle, I urge you to refrain from being on the streets for now. Do not approach government, military, or police centers, or organizational houses affiliated with the apparatus of repression."

Prince Pahlavi also warned the public about the Islamic Republic's use of public places to hide repressive forces and create human shields, saying: "The Islamic Republic uses schools, mosques, and other public places to hide repressive forces and create human shields. For your own safety, stay away from such places."

In another part of his message, he advised government employees not to show up at work and not to sacrifice their lives for the survival of the regime. He added: “My special message to government employees is not to show up at your workplace under any circumstances. Do not sacrifice your lives and security for the survival of the Islamic Republic. Do not allow yourself to be used as a human shield. Do not allow your work and activities to become a tool for suppressing your fellow countrymen. Use your facilities and access to disrupt the process of repression and help the people.”

This message was released at a time when many activists and political observers considered it a vital warning to protect people's lives and prevent the Islamic Republic from using citizens as human shields.

Human rights and homeland security experts have also emphasized that such messages can play an important role in reducing human casualties and warning citizens, in a situation where there is a risk of widespread repression and the use of public places for military operations.