Exiled Iranian prince: ‘Ceasefire not the end, regime will fall’

The son of the ousted shah said the Islamic regime has been “irreparably” weakened by the war.

By World Israel News Staff

Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former leader, delivered a video address to the Iranian people on Wednesday, urging them not to lose hope following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire.

“I know that news of the two-week ceasefire between the Islamic Republic, America and Israel has disheartened many of you,” Pahlavi said, acknowledging widespread disappointment among Iranians who had hoped the recent conflict would lead to the fall of the Islamic Republic. “But today is not a time for despair — it is a time for even greater belief in victory.”

Pahlavi said that the regime has been significantly weakened by the past 40 days of fighting, describing the damage as “irreparable.” He pointed to the assassination of longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as the deaths of numerous senior political and military officials during the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign.

“The Islamic Republic stands today more isolated and more reviled in the region and the world than at any point in its history,” he said.

Pahlavi stressed that it was unrealistic to expect the regime to collapse solely as a result of airstrikes.

“It is we, the Iranian nation, who must deliver the final blow to this weakened regime and bring about its ultimate end,” he said.

He also cautioned against immediate mass protests, saying that the regime could respond with violent measures against demonstrators.

He urged Iranians to remain patient and wait for what he described as the “decisive moment” before taking to the streets, though he did not define what such a moment would entail.

“Have faith that no force on earth can withstand the power of a united Iran,” Pahlavi said, concluding the speech. “The Islamic Republic has no path of escape and no chance of survival this time — and it shall fall at the mighty hands of you, the great nation of Iran.”