Iran protests: Exiled prince Reza Pahlavi urges mass uprising, calls on demonstrators to ‘seize city centres’

Reza Pahlavi (Image: X)

• Reza Pahlavi urges nationwide protests and strikes to challenge Iran's regime
• Protests continue in Iran amid economic hardship and increased security measures
• US officials express support for peaceful Iranian demonstrators

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Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled crown prince, on Saturday called for a nationwide uprising in Iran, asking protestors to seize city centres, initiate strikes in key sectors of the economy, as well as sustain street protests to bring down the Islamic Republic.

Pahlavi, in a post on X, lauded demonstrators for returning to the streets across Iran in defiance of warnings from the leadership, saying the protests had shaken the ruling establishment.

“Your renewed and magnificent presence in the streets was a resounding response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic," he wrote, claiming Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was “trembling in fear" after seeing the protests.

Calling for an escalation, Pahlavi said future protests must be more targeted and disruptive, and urged workers in critical sectors, including transportation, oil, gas and energy, to begin a nationwide strike. He said cutting off what he described as the regime’s “financial lifelines” would hamper its capacity to suppress dissent and urged people to mobilise again over the weekend.

“Our goal is no longer merely to come to the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize the centres of cities and hold them,” he said.

“To achieve this goal, move from various routes towards the more central parts of the cities as much as possible and connect separate crowds. At the same time, prepare now to stay in the streets and gather the necessary provisions,” Pahlavi added.

“I too am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution’s victory, I can be beside you," he said, adding that he believed that moment was approaching rapidly.

Pahlavi’s remarks come amid continuing unrest in Iran over economic hardship, rising inflation and resentment toward the clerical leadership. With protests now in their second week, authorities have intensified security measures and restricted internet access in several cities.

Earlier, Pahlavi had appealed to US President Donald Trump for intervention, citing lethal crackdowns and a communications blackout.

“Millions of brave Iranians are facing live bullets and now a total blackout, no internet, no landlines," he wrote in a post addressed to Trump, calling for urgent international action.

Earlier on Thursday, US vice president JD Vance reiterated support for the Iranian people, saying that the United States stands by anybody who is engaged in peaceful protests and trying to exert their rights for free association.