WEBDESK, June 24, 2025 — Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch, has called on Western governments to embrace regime change as the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the region, following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris, Pahlavi declared, “The destruction of nuclear sites is not enough. Now is the moment to stand with the Iranian people. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Do not throw this regime a lifeline.”
Pahlavi, 64, emphasized that a democratic transition — not just military intervention — is essential to prevent Iran from becoming a perpetual source of instability. “Only a democratic Iran can bring regional peace and ensure the world’s safety from nuclear threats,” he said.
While U.S. President Donald Trump denied that the weekend’s strikes were aimed at regime change, his social media post on Sunday hinted otherwise, suggesting Iran’s ruling clerics may soon fall. Tehran has yet to respond officially to Pahlavi’s comments.
Who Is Reza Pahlavi?
Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, who was deposed during the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Since then, Reza has lived in exile, primarily in the United States, where he has continued to advocate for secular democracy and human rights in Iran. He has no formal political role but remains a symbolic figure for monarchists and some pro-democracy groups.
Where Is Reza Pahlavi Now?
Currently residing between the U.S. and Europe, Reza Pahlavi frequently speaks at international forums and media outlets. He remains active on social media and maintains ties with parts of the Iranian diaspora.
Who Is Ayatollah Khamenei?
Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled since 1989 following the death of the revolution’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei holds the ultimate authority in Iran’s theocratic system, overseeing military, judiciary, and nuclear policy. Critics widely view him as the architect of Iran’s hardline domestic repression and aggressive regional policies.
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The Legacy of the Shah
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi ruled Iran from 1941 until his ousting in 1979. Backed by the U.S. and other Western powers, his reign was marked by rapid modernization and secular reforms, but also by severe political repression, including the use of the feared SAVAK intelligence agency. His downfall led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
While some Iranians romanticize the Shah’s era for its economic progress and openness to the West, others remember it for its authoritarianism. Public opinion in Iran remains divided, as seen in protest slogans both for and against the monarchy during recent uprisings.
As tensions escalate in the region, Pahlavi’s renewed call for democratic change puts a spotlight on Iran’s uncertain political future — and on the growing international debate over how to deal with the regime in Tehran.
