Iran exiled Crown Prince calls on armed and security forces to join the uprising

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Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled crown prince, has called for a new phase of what he described as a national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran on Sunday Jan 11, 2025, his second video address to supporters in three days. In the message, released amid ongoing unrest, Pahlavi praised recent demonstrations, saying protests involving what he described as “millions” had shaken the foundations of the current political system. He said the scale of public mobilisation had given him the “legitimacy and popularity” to announce a new stage in efforts to reclaim Iran. Pahlavi urged demonstrators inside Iran to seize and hold central streets in major cities and said institutions linked to state propaganda and communications control should be considered legitimate targets. He also called on government employees and members of the armed and security forces to side with protesters, warning that those who did not would be complicit in violence against civilians. Addressing supporters outside Iran, Pahlavi said Iranian embassies and consulates abroad belonged to the Iranian people, calling for them to display Iran’s national flag rather than that of the Islamic Republic. He claimed the leadership under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was facing shortages within its security forces, and said increased use of gunfire against demonstrators reflected fear rather than strength. He accused authorities of seeking to suppress protests through violence, and said demonstrators would not retreat. Pahlavi said he believed the fall of the Islamic Republic was near, describing the deaths of protesters as a force driving the movement forward. He also suggested that international support would soon follow, though he did not provide details. Iranian authorities have not responded to the latest address. Independent verification of claims regarding protest numbers, security force shortages, or international support remains difficult due to restrictions on access and communications within the country. Following is Reza Pahlavi's full speech in Englis: Dear oppressed Iran, my brave compatriots, In the past two weeks, especially in the last four days, you have shaken the foundations of the illegitimate regime of the Islamic Republic with your million-strong demonstrations. Now, relying on your million-strong response to the calls of the past days, and with the legitimacy and popularity I have received from you, I announce another stage of the national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic and reclaim our dear Iran. 1. Inside Iran, in addition to seizing and holding the central streets of cities, all institutions and apparatuses responsible for the regime's false propaganda and cutting off communications are considered legitimate targets. Government employees, and the armed and security forces, have the opportunity to join the people and be helpers of the nation, or to choose complicity with the murderers of the nation and buy eternal shame and the curse of the nation for themselves. 2. Outside Iran, all embassies and consulates of Iran belong to the Iranian nation, and the time has come for them to be adorned with the national flag of Iran instead of the shameful flag of the Islamic Republic. We are on the verge of reclaiming our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic. Khamenei and his regime have suffered several heavy blows from you, and we must not give them a chance to catch their breath again. The regime is facing a serious shortage of repressive forces, and the increased shooting at the people is not out of strength, but due to a lack of mercenaries and fear of faster collapse and fall. We will not allow these criminals to shed more of our youth's blood on the ground. We will not give them that opportunity. We will not go back. The freedom of Iran is near. The blood spilled on the ground of Iran's immortal children guides us toward victory. We are not alone. Global assistance will arrive soon as well. Wait for my next messages. We will soon reclaim our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic and hold celebrations of freedom and victory everywhere in Iran.