Iran’s exiled former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Sunday (local time) issued a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump, asking him to help make the country “great again”
The 65-year-old praised Trump as a “man of peace” and urged continued support for the Iranian people in their “fight for freedom” against the regime headed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pahlavi asserted that the Iranian people would emerge as the US’s key partner for peace and prosperity following what he described as the fall of the current regime.
“Mr President, you have already forged a legacy as a man of peace. Your words of solidarity have given Iranians the strength to fight for freedom. And while Khamenei and his thugs call for “Death to America,” the Iranian people are renaming streets after you. They know you have their back and will not abandon them like Obama and Biden. After the fall of this terrorist regime, they will be your best partner for peace and prosperity. Help them liberate themselves and Make Iran Great Again!” Pahlavi said while speaking to Fox News.
Pahlavi is the son of the late Shah (King) of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution that led to the establishment of Ayatollah rule.
He had earlier asked Trump to “be prepared to intervene” after the Iranian protests and the subsequent crackdown by the government began late last month.
The Iranian protests
Meanwhile, the death toll from the Iran protests has now crossed the 500 mark, according to US-based HRNA.
As per a Reuters report, activists inside and outside Iran have stated that at least 538 people have been killed, which includes 490 protesters and 48 security personnel.
The protests began on December 28 as demonstrations against soaring inflation and economic hardship, but soon escalated into tense nationwide unrest, marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
Demonstrations have spread across multiple cities, with authorities responding through arrests, crackdowns, and the use of force. Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the scale of casualties and the treatment of protesters.
Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on “rioters” and foreign interference, while maintaining that legitimate economic grievances will be addressed.
International leaders have increasingly spoken out on the situation. Pope Leo, addressing crowds at the Vatican after his Angelus prayer, said he was praying for peace in Iran.
According to a CNN report, which cited US officials, Donald Trump is weighing several military options in Iran following deadly protests, after warning Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators.
Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad said legal action against protesters would be strict. He was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying that proceedings would be carried out “without leniency, mercy or appeasement.”
“The charges against all rioters are the same,” he said.
