14.01.2026 10:03
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the deposed Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, called on protesters in Iran to continue their struggle, stating, "You have probably heard the message from U.S. President Donald Trump. Help is on the way." Pahlavi also urged Iranian soldiers, saying, "You have very little time left. Join the people as soon as possible."
Steve Witkoff, the Special Representative for the Middle East of U.S. President Donald Trump, is claimed to have secretly met with the exiled son of the deposed Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Reza Pahlavi, who released a new video message on his social media account last week.
Addressing Iranian protesters, Pahlavi stated that the world not only sees and hears the courage and voice of the protesters but is also taking action, saying, "You have probably heard the message from U.S. President Donald Trump. Help is on the way."
"NOTE THE NAMES OF THE CRIMINALS"
Pahlavi called on the protesters to continue their struggle, stating, "Do not allow this regime to normalize events. There is a sea of blood between us and this regime after all these massacres. Note the names of these criminals. One day they will pay for what they have done." At the end of his message, addressing Iranian soldiers, Pahlavi said, "You are the national army of Iran, not the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. You have the duty to protect the lives of your citizens. You have very little time left. Join the people's side as soon as possible."
CLAIMED TO HAVE MET SECRETLY WITH THE U.S.
As protests that began against rising living costs on December 28 in Iran have turned into anti-government demonstrations, U.S. media reported that Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Witkoff, secretly met with Pahlavi last weekend. It was stated that the ongoing protests in Iran were discussed during the meeting.
LEADING THE OPPOSITION IN EXILE
Pahlavi, the son of the Shah who was deposed during the Islamic Revolution in 1979, is leading the opposition group in the U.S. where he is in exile. Pahlavi, who is making efforts to take on the role of "transitional period" leader if there is a regime change in Iran, has not yet received support from Trump. According to polls, about one-third of the Iranian people support Pahlavi.