Iran Power Shake-Up: Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi Steps Forward To Lead

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has announced that he is ready to assume leadership of Iran following growing calls for him to guide the country amid uncertainty reportedly triggered by the death of the nation’s Supreme Leader.

Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, made the declaration in a video message shared on his account, stating that he is prepared to lead a political transition should the current regime collapse.

According to him, many Iranians have urged him to step forward and help steer the country through a possible period of political change.

“The Iranian people have called on me to lead the transition after the regime is gone,” he said. “I have accepted that responsibility. Part of the mandate given to me is to restore our nation and normalize our foreign relations, and I intend to do exactly that.”

Pahlavi promised to ensure stability during any transition while allowing citizens to decide the country’s future through democratic elections.

“My commitment is to ensure that the transition is orderly, the country is stabilized, and that Iranians determine their future through the ballot box,” he added.

He also called on Arab nations and the international community to support and recognize a potential transitional government if one is formed.

“Iranians have made their choice at great cost. I now call on our friends in the Arab world to stand with us and prepare to recognize and work with a transitional government,” he said.

His remarks come amid reports that Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday during joint strikes by the United States and Israel inside Iran.

Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the country’s Supreme Leader, but the body has not yet announced a successor.

In the meantime, a three-member interim council — made up of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a representative of the Guardian Council — has reportedly been assigned to manage state affairs.

Pahlavi has remained one of the most prominent opposition figures against the Islamic Republic for decades, consistently calling for protests against the government, advocating the dismantling of the current system, and promoting closer ties between Iran, Western nations, and Israel.