Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has called for support for protesters seeking to overthrow Iran’s government. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on 16 January, Pahlavi outlined plans to return to Iran and called for action against the country’s Revolutionary Guards.
Pahlavi said a “surgical strike” on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would “facilitate our task and prevent more loss of life,” as demonstrations across Iran continue.
Asked about future leadership in Iran, Pahlavi said it was “for the Iranian people to decide,” while adding that he believed he had the support of the population and was seeking to “help them liberate themselves.”
Pahlavi mentioned plans to implement a new constitution and stated that he is confident the Islamic Republic “will fall — not if, but when.”
Reza Pahlavi claimed some members of Iran’s security apparatus refused to participate in the crackdown and that foreign militia fighters were brought in to suppress demonstrations.
Before the press conference, a moment of silence was observed for protesters killed during the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and UK have reduced personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar as a precautionary measure.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously warned Iran against killing protesters and said he would take “very strong action” if executions occurred, without ruling out military measures.
Iran’s parliament speaker has warned that any U.S. strike could make Israel and United States military and shipping centres in the region legitimate targets.
Pahlavi has emerged as a leading figure in Iran’s fragmented opposition and has repeatedly called upon the citizens to escalate protests, which continue despite the possible risk of deadly reprisals.
Human rights groups say more than 2,000 protesters have been killed since unrest began on 28 December over economic grievances and escalated into calls for the end of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s rule.
Iranian authorities have labelled the protests as “riots” backed by foreign enemies, and protesters have faced deadly force amid a near-total shutdown of internet and communications.
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Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Nearly 130,000 people have been forced from their homes in Yemen in recent weeks as fighting intensifies along the country’s west coast, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Iranian judicial authorities have shut a French language centre in Tehran linked to the French Embassy, accusing it of “illegal activities”, including operating without a licence and facilitating the departure of talented Iranians.
Ankara and Washington are considering “creative ideas” to resolve U.S. sanctions imposed over Türkiye’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air-defence system, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said.
Uzbekistan is stepping up investment in Karakalpakstan, with billions of dollars in projects spanning renewable energy, AI, agriculture, mining, transport and healthcare as the region seeks to create jobs and develop higher-value industries.
The EU plans to mobilise up to €12 billion ($13.8 billion) in public and private investment to strengthen the Middle Corridor, a key trade route connecting Central Asia and the South Caucasus with European markets.
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