Exiled 'crown prince' Reza Pahlavi wants West to create 'strike fund' to collapse Iranian regime

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24-04-2025

According to Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, using Iran's foreign-held assets— estimated at around $100 billion— could be instrumental in empowering opposition forces from within read more
Western governments should establish a dedicated fund to support industrial strikes across Iran, aiming to paralyse the state and accelerate the downfall of its regime, according to Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah.
Pahlavi, whose father was deposed during the 1979 revolution, has expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of recent nuclear negotiations spearheaded by Donald Trump's administration, suggesting they offer little hope of securing lasting regional peace.
Instead, he wants Western nations to redirect their efforts towards aiding domestic opposition movements, facilitating advanced technology to enable better communication and organisation among protesters and dissidents.
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According to Pahlavi, using Iran's foreign-held assets—estimated at around $100 billion—could be instrumental in empowering opposition forces from within.
A 'strike fund'
Pahlavi advocated the creation of a 'strike fund,' financed through Iranian assets currently frozen by international sanctions, according to POLITICO. These funds would back a sustained wave of peaceful civil resistance, particularly organised labour strikes, which could severely disrupt Iran's economy and administrative functions, potentially triggering the regime's collapse within months.
'Paralysing the regime as a result of work stoppages and strikes— which is the least cost to the nation provided we can fund it— this is something that can happen in a matter of months,' Pahlavi explained. He pointed to Iran's historical vulnerability to labour movements, referencing the critical role played by strikes— especially in the oil sector— in toppling his father's regime nearly half a century ago.
Recent years have seen growing unrest in Iran, fuelled by widespread anger at government repression, economic hardship, and international isolation. Tehran's regional influence has diminished significantly, particularly following the collapse of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria and extensive damage inflicted by Israeli strikes on Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.
A third way
Pahlavi, 64, has been actively touring European capitals, meeting with senior government officials and private investors to promote increased support for Iran's internal opposition. He cautions that failing to back internal dissent could lead to external military interventions, including possible US or Israeli strikes.
'Diplomacy has been exhausted with no actual breakthrough, and at the same time, there's a concern that if diplomacy fails are we talking about military action?' Pahlavi said. 'What we propose is a third way — the best way to avoid having to resort to that scenario. Give the people of Iran a chance, let them be the agent of change, before we have to resort to other measures that are not wanted.'
Trump, who recently authorised direct talks between US and Iranian officials, has warned of military action if Iran fails to curtail its nuclear programme imminently. However, Pahlavi argues that these nuclear discussions merely serve Tehran's strategy to buy time, further entrenching the ruling clerics.
'This regime does not negotiate in good faith,' Pahlavi asserted. 'However well-intentioned, these nuclear talks will throw a lifeline to a crumbling dictatorship and prolong its export of terror and chaos.'