Exiled Iranian prince calls for REVOLUTION to oust Ayatollah holed up in secret bunker with regime on brink of collapse
THE exiled Iranian crown prince has urged citizens to stage a national uprising to oust the Ayatollah as the regime sits on the brink of collapse.
Ali Khamenei, 86, and his
family
are believed to have bolted to a
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The exiled Iranian crown prince has urged citizens to stage a national uprising
Credit: X / @PahlaviReza
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A building in Tehran hit in an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital early in the morning
Credit: AFP
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Smoke rises from a fire, as the Israel-Iran air war continues, in Tehran, Iran
Credit: Reuters
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is believed to have bolted to a fortified underground hiding place in a suburb of capital Tehran
Credit: Reuters
Iran's exiled Crown
Prince
Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of the former Shah of Iran - the last leader before the dynasty was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
He urged Iranians in a video posted to X on Tuesday: "[The] Islamic Republic has reached its end and is in the process of collapsing."
Pahlavi called Khamenei a "frightened rat" who "has gone into hiding underground" and "lost control of the situation".
He added: "What has begun is irreversible."
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Pahlavi - who fled Iran as a teen and has been living just outside of
Washington
DC since 2001 - believes that Iran's "
future
is bright" despite the spiralling conflict.
He also shared how his "heart is with all the defenceless citizens who have been harmed and have fallen victim to Khamenei's warmongering and delusions".
Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others, a
human rights
group has said.
Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has a
history
of minimising casualties.
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Pahlavi added: "The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation.
"The regime's apparatus of repression is falling apart."
Trump 'considers bombing Iran' as Ayatollah 'prepares for strikes against US bases' & blasts more rockets at Israel
He then called for a "
nationwide
uprising" to "put an end to this nightmare once and for all".
Continuing his plea for a revolution, Pahlavi stressed that "now is the time to rise; the time to reclaim Iran," urging Iranian citizens to "all come forward and bring about the end of this regime".
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He assured that if an uprising were to occur, Iranians shouldn't fear "the day after the fall" of Khamenei's rule" and promised the nation wouldn't "descend into civil war or instability".
The exiled crown prince said: "We have a plan for Iran's future and its flourishing.
"We are prepared for the first hundred days after the fall, for the transitional period, and for the reestablishment of a national and democratic government – by the Iranian people and for the Iranian people."
Addressing Iranian security and state officials, Pahlavi urged them not to "stand against the Iranian people," adding that the regime's "fall has begun and is inevitable".
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He said: "Do not sacrifice yourselves for a decaying regime.
"By standing with the people, you can save your lives."
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Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, activist, advocate, and oldest son of the last Shah of Iran, gives a speech
Credit: AFP
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Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday
Credit: AFP
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Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's waving during a ceremony on the occasion of 36rd death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran
Credit: AFP
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Smoke billows in the distance from an oil refinery following an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran
Credit: AFP
Pahlavi concluded: "A free and flourishing Iran lies ahead of us.
"May we be together soon."
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Pahlavi has relentlessly spoken out about Iran's regime and pressed for change, urging President
Donald Trump
to put "maximum pressure" on the regime.
Iran fired several missile barrages into Tel Aviv in the early hours of Wednesday.
They are now reportedly preparing to launch missiles and other military equipment on US bases in the
Middle East
should Trump join Israel's war, say American officials who have reviewed intelligence reports.
In response, Israel fired back with their own tactical
strikes
and left much of Tehran up in smoke.
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Iran initially had roughly 2,000 missiles capable of hitting Israel, but a significant number were destroyed after Israel launched its surprise attack early Friday, Israeli intelligence officials said
In the past six days of the spiralling conflict, Iran has retaliated against Israeli airstrikes by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of
drones
at Israel.
Terrified Tehran citizens have been fleeing in the thousands since Friday, with Trump later urging everyone to immediately evacuate the city.
Trump has already ramped up his threats towards the Iranian regime as he claimed on Wednesday the US and Israel know exactly where
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The US president called him an "easy
target
" but said he won't order any assassination plot "for now".
Khamenei went to ground after swathes of military top brass and nuclear scientists were wiped out in simultaneous surgical strikes at the start of Israel's Operation Rising Lion on Friday.
Who was the Shah?
By Annabel Bate, Foreign News Reporter
THE last Shah of Iran was Mohammad Reza Pahlav
i.
He ruled from 1941 to 1979, having succeeded his dad Reza Shah.
Mohammad Reza had a pro-Western foreign policy and encouraged economic development in the nation.
What led to his downfall initially however was 1963 The White Revolution - a series of social, political and economic reforms that Mohammad Reza initiated.
This looked to both modernise and westernise Iran.
But the reforms were perceived as controversial and led to some resistance from various religious and political factions.
On February 11, 1979, Iran's army declared its neutrality, paving the way for the fall of US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza.
He died in exile in Egypt in 1980.
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PA wire Mark Edwards Prosecutor comments on case against Kneecap rapper Kneecap rapper Liam O hAnnaidh, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, 27, from Belfast, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig on November 21 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "This case is not about Mr hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel." He told the court O hAnnaidh is "well within his rights" to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians. It is alleged that O hAnnaidh, who appeared on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, displayed a Hezbollah flag and said "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at the gig. Wearing a dark zip up jacket and trousers, he spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing. Claire Williamson Irish interpreter sought for proceedings Allison Morris reports: The judge has asked if Liam Og O hAnnaidh would prefer an Irish interpreter. One couldn't be found that was available for today - defence has said if one is available for the trial that would be helpful. Mark Edwards Footage of Kneecap members arriving at court Claire Williamson Kneecap court proceedings underway Allison Morris reports: The defendant has confirmed his name - in Irish - to the judge Adrian Rutherford Court delays amid chaos Allison Morris reports the court case has yet to start. "There are too many people and not enough spaces, along with thousands of supporters outside," she says. "Inside there are representatives of the Irish language lobby and politicians John Finucane and Paul Maskey." Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh (centre, in scarf) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London . PA wire Kneecap band member, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Getty Images Claire Williamson 'Fields of Athenry' playing outside court Bemused defendants who had shown up for their day in court tried to push through the crowds with an Irish band playing the Fields of Athenry Claire Williamson Kneecap in court Allison Morris reports there were chaotic scenes as Kneecap arrived in court with security struggling to contain the crowds gathered outside. Kneecap's Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London . PA wire Claire Williamson Speeches underway Sinn Fein MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane are currently addressing the crowd Mark Edwards Kneecap members arrive at court The members of Kneecap have arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh arrived to a scrum of hundreds of their supporters who cheered as their vehicle pulled up. The band were wearing "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts as they arrived at the central London court - Mo Chara being the stage name of Og O hAnnaidh. The members of Kneecap walked up the stairs of the court and looked over the balcony, smiling and giving a thumbs up to their hundreds of supporters gathered outside. A crowd of supporters had surged around the entrance of the court as the band arrived, with some also entering the lobby. Liam Og O hAnnaidh . Getty Images Claire Williamson Kneecap arrival expected imminently We are inside court awaiting proceedings to start - Kneecap expected to arrive any minute Mark Edwards Police remove pro-Israel protestor Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd outside court wearing an Israeli flag which provoked boos, swearing and shouts of "free Palestine". The crowd became animated and shouted "Israel is a terrorist state" and "take him out for his own safety" as he made gestures and argued with protesters. Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed. Police officers remove a counter-protesters from the middle of the supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh . PA wire Claire Williamson 'Chaotic scenes' Allison Morris reports: There are chaotic scenes at Westminster court as police try and keep order in a crowd that's grown to several thousands. They are chanting 'Free Free Mo Chara' Claire Williamson Allison Morris in London Crime Correspondent Allison Morris is in London for the Belfast Telegraph and will be bringing us live coverage as the day's proceedings unfold. There is a large media presence currently gathered for the case. Mark Edwards Thousands of supporters now outside court Kneecap reporter outside court . PA wire Mark Edwards Kneecap 'on the right side of history', claims Sinn Fein MP Sinn Féin MPs Paul Maskey and John Finucane will this morning address a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: 'While Benjamin Netanyahu, his rogue regime, and an out-of-control military continue to violate international law and commit war crimes, it is Kneecap — not the war criminals — who are being dragged before the courts. 'This is the same British justice system that stays silent on the British government's complicity in Israel's brutal and relentless assault on the defenceless people of Gaza. 'Today, I'll be speaking out against these glaring double standards and standing in solidarity with Liam Óg. 'Kneecap's courage in calling out Israel's genocide in Palestine, despite the full weight of the western establishment against them, deserves recognition and support. They are on the right side of history.' Mark Edwards Supporters now chanting outside court Protesters of all ages, both individuals and groups, gathered outside the court building before Liam Og O hAnnaidh's hearing. Many carried placards of support as well as Palestinian and Irish flags and set up banners on the railings positioned by the court. Groups including Love Music Hate Racism set up tables distributing placards, stickers, posters and T-shirts. Charles Parker, 35, said protesting was important to him because he believed in "freedom of speech". The composite engineer from Northamptonshire said: "I believe in freedom for Palestine. "I come from an Irish Republican background and Palestine helped us in the 1990s. "We stand by those who stand by us. "I have been a fan of Kneecap since I saw them in Belfast about five years ago. "I'm open to whatever may happen. If the Metropolitan Police do anything, you've got to be ready for anything." Supporters outside the court in London . PA wire Load more Tickaroo Live Blog Software Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh who performs under the name Mo Chara of Irish group Kneecap appears outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. News in 90 Seconds - June 18th
