'Beginning of our great national celebration': Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi hails Khamenei’s death

Pahlavi called Khamenei “the bloodthirsty despot of our time, the murderer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters,” and said his death could mark the effective end of the Islamic Republic.

• Exiled leader Pahlavi says Khamenei's death could end the regime
• US and Israel hit IRGC sites; Iran retaliated regionally
• Iranian media report 201 dead, 747 injured in the missile strikes

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Exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince, responded in the wee hours of Sunday to reports that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in coordinated US and Israeli missile strikes on Iran.

Taking to microblogging site X, Pahlavi called Khamenei “the bloodthirsty despot of our time, the murderer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters,” and said his death could mark the effective end of the Islamic Republic.

Pahlavi warned that any attempt to appoint a successor to Khamenei would fail, arguing that “whoever they place in his stead will have neither legitimacy nor longevity, and will undoubtedly be complicit in the crimes of this regime.”

He directly addressed Iran’s military, law enforcement, and security forces, stating that “any effort to preserve a collapsing regime will fail,” and urging them to “help ensure Iran’s stable transition to a free and prosperous future.”

The crown prince also offered words of consolation to families of those who have died under the regime, writing that while Khamenei’s death “does not avenge the blood that has been spilled, may serve as a balm for the wounded hearts of the grieving fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters.”

Pahlavi concluded by calling on the Iranian people to remain vigilant, “This may be the beginning of our great national celebration, but it is not the end of the road. Remain vigilant and prepared. The time for a widespread and decisive presence in the streets is very near. Together, united and steadfast, we will bring about the final victory, and we will celebrate Iran’s freedom across our beloved homeland. Long live Iran.”

The strikes, which targeted IRGC command centers, missile and drone launch sites, air defenses, and military airfields, are part of a broader effort to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities, according to US Central Command.

The US military confirmed that low-cost, one-way drones were used in combat for the first time.

US President Donald Trump claimed Khamenei had been killed, calling him “one of the most evil people in history” and urging Iranians to rise up against the regime. Iranian state media rejected Trump’s claim, citing sources close to the Supreme Leader.

Israel also confirmed that IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour died in the strikes.

Iranian state media reported 201 deaths and 747 injuries, including 85 students killed at a girls’ school in Hormozgan province, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.

Following this, Iran launched missile and drone strikes across the Middle East targeting US bases and allies in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Israel. Dubai reported some damage to high-rise buildings and partial damage to Dubai International Airport, although most attacks were intercepted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has supported the strikes as a necessary step to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.