Iranian Opposition Leader Hails U.S.-Israel Strikes as Humanitarian Intervention
Reza Pahlavi, a prominent leader of the Iranian opposition living in exile, has publicly characterized the recent joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran as a humanitarian intervention. In a video message posted on social media platform X shortly after the initiation of "Operation Roaring Lion," Pahlavi declared that this action provides Iranians with a crucial opportunity to reclaim their nation from the current regime.
Pahlavi's Message to the Iranian People
"The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived," Pahlavi stated emphatically in his address. He carefully framed the military operation as targeting specifically the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter, rather than the Iranian nation itself. Pahlavi, whose father was the last Shah of Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, resides in the United States and has long advocated for regime change in his homeland.
In his detailed message, Pahlavi made several key appeals:
- He requested that U.S. President Donald Trump exercise utmost caution to preserve civilian lives during the military operations
- He called on Iranian officials to turn against the regime, reminding them that their duty is to defend the people rather than a government that has "taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime"
- He urged his fellow Iranians to stay focused on their ultimate goal of reclaiming Iran while remaining in their homes for safety
Timing and International Context
The video message was released shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced "Operation Roaring Lion" on Sunday, though Pahlavi notably did not mention Israel directly in his speech. Both Netanyahu and Trump concluded their own addresses announcing the military action with explicit calls for Iranians to help overthrow the Islamic regime.
Trump specifically told the Iranian people: "Your hour of freedom is at hand ... when we are finished take over your government, it will be yours to take." This coordinated messaging suggests a strategic alignment between the military action and political objectives regarding regime change in Iran.
Broader Opposition Support
Pahlavi's characterization of the strikes as humanitarian intervention has found resonance among other exiled critics of the Iranian regime. Afshin Ellian, a Tehran-born regime critic now living in the Netherlands, echoed Pahlavi's message on X, writing that the end of the regime is "near" and calling on Iranians to "carry out the Prince's decrees with discipline."
Ellian further proclaimed that "the Iranian nation will write history," suggesting this moment represents a potential turning point in the country's political trajectory. Meanwhile, Pouria Zeraati, a television anchor at the U.K.-based Iran International channel, quoted Netanyahu's call for Iranians to rise up for regime overthrow, adding a victory emoji to his Farsi-language post on X.
Strategic Implications and Future Directions
Pahlavi provided specific instructions to his compatriots, advising them to remain in their homes but be "ready so that, at the appropriate time—which I will announce to you precisely—you can return to the streets for the final action." He expressed confidence that "we are very close to final victory," indicating his belief that the current military action could precipitate the regime's collapse.
This development represents a significant moment in the long-standing conflict between the Iranian opposition in exile and the Islamic Republic government. By framing foreign military intervention as humanitarian aid, Pahlavi seeks to legitimize the action in the eyes of both international observers and the Iranian populace, potentially paving the way for broader support for regime change initiatives.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with the military strikes occurring against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region. As events unfold, the response from within Iran—both from government forces and the civilian population—will determine whether this intervention achieves its stated humanitarian and political objectives.
