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.
Pakistan says it has killed 26 militants in strikes on terrorist hideouts along the Afghan border, marking the most significant escalation between the...
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has found that xAI’s Grok chatbot and its parent company X Corp. violated federal privacy law by launching an AI ima...
China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family...
The United States launched overnight strikes on military targets across Iran, as President Donald Trump warns of further attacks unless a peace deal i...
Conditions of a climate pattern El Niño have officially developed and are expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026-27,...
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has found that xAI’s Grok chatbot and its parent company X Corp. violated federal privacy law by launching an AI image-generation tool without adequate safeguards, enabling the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexualised deepfakes.
China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his immediate family, accusing him of repeatedly making remarks that undermined China's "legitimate interests" and bilateral relations.
The United States launched overnight strikes on military targets across Iran, as President Donald Trump warns of further attacks unless a peace deal is reached. Iran responded by targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Conditions of a climate pattern El Niño have officially developed and are expected to strengthen through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026-27, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. The forecast raises concerns of extreme weather, agricultural issues and record global temperatures.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says 19 citizens have been repatriated following a deadly drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov on 5 June.
The Pakistani city of Karachi is struggling under severe heat and humidity as the country enters a prolonged heatwave period. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of above-normal temperatures across much of the country between 7 and 12 June.
Ukraine's military said it struck a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in the Black Sea as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy and logistics networks. The move underscores Kyiv's focus on targeting maritime assets it says are used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil exports.
U.S. forces say they have completed strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile attacks on an American base in Jordan, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two sides.
Russia has once again offered warm words to Tbilisi, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praising Georgia's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and saying Moscow is ready to deepen ties.
Azerbaijan dispatched 17 railway wagons carrying 984 tonnes of diesel fuel to Armenia on Thursday, marking the latest shipment in growing trade between the two countries.
The U.S. is deepening engagement with Central Asia on critical minerals as global competition for strategic resources intensifies. The issue dominated talks in Astana between Washington and the five Central Asian states.
Israel's cabinet is expected to approve a plan on Thursday (11 June) to allocate around one billion shekels ($338 million) for settlement development in the West Bank, according to reports and anti-settlement campaigners.
India is expected to receive below-average rainfall over the next two weeks, particularly across central and northern regions, as weather systems known as western disturbances slow the advance of the annual monsoon, senior weather officials said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment