Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former pro-Western monarch, has boldly asserted that the country’s current Islamic regime is destined to collapse and has put himself forward as the "uniquely" qualified leader to head a successor government. This pronouncement comes amidst weeks of widespread mass protests across Iran, which have been brutally suppressed by security forces, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Pahlavi's claim to leadership is likely to face scrutiny from other opponents of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime. A significant challenge to his credibility stems from his prolonged absence from Iran, having not resided in the country since his family fled at the outset of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Despite some protesters chanting his name, questions persist regarding the true extent of his popular support within Iran.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Pahlavi urged the international community to assist in unseating Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. While acknowledging the regime's inevitable downfall, he argued that foreign involvement could hasten its collapse and save lives. He clarified that such involvement would not require "boots on the ground," but rather "targeted intervention" aimed at weakening the regime’s repressive apparatus, specifically by targeting the leadership of the Revolutionary Guards. "What they need from the world is resolute, targeted support to protect lives, amplify their voices and hasten the collapse that is already on the way," he stated, emphasizing that "with or without the world’s help, the regime will fall."

Pahlavi asserted that 12,000 protesters had been killed over a 48-hour period during a brutal crackdown on demonstrations that commenced on December 28. While human rights groups have reported lower figures, they nonetheless confirm that the death toll is in the thousands. Former US President Donald Trump had previously vowed "help is on the way" if the regime continued its killings or carried out executions of detainees. However, Trump later retreated from this stance following warnings from US Middle East allies about potential regional instability. He subsequently thanked the regime on his Truth Social network for allegedly cancelling a wave of scheduled executions, stating, "I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!"

The current wave of large-scale anti-government protests in Iran, which began late last year, has seen an ironic development: chants of Pahlavi’s name and "long live the shah." This is particularly noteworthy given that the monarchical regime of his father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was itself overthrown after months of similar mass demonstrations fueled by complaints of torture and human rights abuses.

When questioned by the Guardian about his intentions to re-establish a monarchy, Pahlavi avoided a direct answer. However, he affirmed possessing a "comprehensive plan for an orderly transition, which is ready to be implemented immediately." This plan, he indicated, would involve referendums to determine the form of a successor government, though he explicitly refused to rule out a monarchical restoration. He reiterated his unique position to ensure a stable transition, claiming this was "the verdict delivered loudly and clearly by the people in the face of bullets."

Furthermore, Pahlavi asserted that "large segments" of the security forces have already refused to fire upon the populace and have "whispered their loyalty to me." He invoked a phrase reminiscent of his father's rhetoric, referring to "the bond between me and the Iranian people," and declared, "It’s been with me since birth, and it cannot be broken, even in exile."