Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urges Iranians to stay vigilant as US, Israel strike Tehran

Pahlavi also addressed Iran’s military, police, and security forces, urging them to protect civilians rather than defend the regime

• US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets
• Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to stay alert and await instructions
• Israel declared emergency; Iran closed airspace after the strikes

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Shortly after the U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated "preventive" strikes on Iranian targets, exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, on Saturday afternoon, called on citizens to remain vigilant and prepared for decisive action

In an elaborate post on microblogging site X, Pahlavi labeled the military intervention as a humanitarian effort against the collapsing Islamic Republic and urged that civilians must be protected.

"Moments of destiny lie ahead of us. The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter—not the country and great nation of Iran," he wrote.

He further noted, "Even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near".

هم‌میهنان عزیزم،

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لحظاتی سرنوشت‌ساز پیشِ روی ماست. کمکی که رئیس‌جمهور ایالات متحده به مردم شجاع ایران وعده داده بود، اکنون رسیده است. این یک مداخله بشردوستانه است؛ و هدف آن، جمهوری اسلامی، دستگاه سرکوب و ماشین کشتار آن است؛ نه کشور و ملت بزرگ ایران. اما، با وجود رسیدن این کمک،… pic.twitter.com/kRiamgeCpS — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) February 28, 2026

Pahlavi also addressed Iran’s military, police, and security forces, urging them to protect civilians rather than defend the regime, "You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian people—not the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei’s sinking ship and his regime".

He concluded with a message to the American government, urging caution to avoid civilian casualties, while also stressing on solidarity with Iranian protesters, "And my message to the President of the United States, President Trump, is this, the noble people of Iran, despite the savage repression and massacres of this regime, stood firm with courage for nearly two months. I now ask you to exercise the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots".

He also stated, "The people of Iran are your natural allies and those of the free world, and they will never forget your support in the most difficult period in contemporary Iranian history".

Saturday’s strikes followed the failure of US-Iran nuclear talks in Switzerland.

Multiple explosions were reported across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Iranian state television showed thick smoke rising in central Tehran, with at least one strike reported near the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Semi-official media also reported blasts at a domestic airport.

Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency as Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that retaliatory missile and drone attacks were expected. Sirens sounded throughout the country, and citizens were instructed to stay near shelters. Non-essential activities, including schools and public gatherings, were suspended, and Israel closed its airspace to civilian traffic.

President Donald Trump released a video message on X confirming US participation. He warned that the strikes targeted Iran’s missile inventory, naval assets, and military industries, urging Iranians to act against their rulers.

“Even so… the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war, but we’re doing this not for now, we’re doing this for the future and it is a noble mission,” he added.

The operation follows months of tension over Iran’s nuclear program and a growing US military buildup in the Middle East, including the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to Israeli waters.

Iran closed its airspace in response, further disrupting regional flights. Oil prices reacted immediately, with Brent crude rising 3.2% to $73 per barrel. OPEC+ is expected to consider adjusting production at a meeting scheduled for Sunday following the strikes.

Pahlavi urged Iranians to remain in their homes while staying alert for his future instructions, "In these sensitive hours and days, more than ever, we must stay focused on our ultimate goal: reclaiming Iran…Follow my messages through social media and satellite media. If there are disruptions to the internet and satellite, I will stay in touch with you via radio waves. We are very close to final victory".

The latest developments mark a major escalation in US-Israeli actions against Tehran.