Prince Reza Pahlavi's message to protesters in Iran: We are countless and stronger than the oppressors

In a message, Prince Reza Pahlavi expressed his sympathy for the protesting people of Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces who have taken to the streets, and told the protesters to ask the military, law enforcement, and security forces to "put down their weapons and not make their case any more difficult."

In a Twitter message he posted on Thursday, May 12, as nationwide protests spread to several provinces, Prince Reza Pahlavi stated that he was closely following the protests of "compatriots and brave youth" in the provinces of Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and referred to the "severe and definitive suppression of the Internet." He emphasized: "Our strength is that we are countless and stronger than the oppressors."

Stating that "we want to build the Iran of the future together and spend Iran's wealth on its reconstruction," he said: "That fertile and bountiful land is so rich that there is no deprived province, city, or village, and no Iranian's table is empty. It is not too late for the day when we celebrate the freedom of our Iran together."

Addressing protesters who have taken to the streets in the provinces of Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and have "unitedly and bravely taken back the streets from the oppressors," Prince Reza Pahlavi said: "This courage of yours deserves the support of other compatriots throughout Iran."

Stating that the patience of the majority of the Iranian people has run out, he addressed the military, law enforcement, and security forces and said, "The future of Iran has room for all those who stand with the nation today; and of course, criminals must be held accountable for their crimes today."

Along with a new wave of price increases and shortages of some basic items in Iran, widespread protests that began in several cities in Khuzestan spread to neighboring provinces on Thursday, May 12.

These protests, which had been ongoing in some cities of Khuzestan for the past few days, including Dezful and Izeh, resumed on Thursday afternoon in at least three provinces: Lorestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Khuzestan in the cities of Khorramabad, Durud, Shahrekord, Jonghan, and Andimeshk.

In these protests, slogans have been chanted so far, including "Death to Khamenei," "Death to Raisi," "Compatriots, support," "The mullah must disappear," "Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace," and "O Shah of Iran, return to Iran."

Source: Voice of America