Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued his first direct call to Iranians for protests yesterday and today.
In a video message in Farsi across social media platforms, the prince said, “My dear compatriots, over the last week, I have watched your demonstrations closely, particularly those that are taking place in the bazaars of Tehran. Despite the regime’s ongoing violent crackdown, you are resisting, and it is inspiring.
“You have certainly noticed and seen that larger crowds have repeatedly led regime forces to flee and have even increased defections to the side of the people. Therefore, it is critical to keep these demonstrations disciplined and as large as possible, he said.
“Today, I am sharing my first call to action with you. This Thursday and Friday, starting precisely at 8pm, wherever you are, whether in the streets or even from your own homes, I call on you to begin chanting exactly at this time. Based on your response, I will announce the next calls to action.”
In a separate message posted early yesterday morning, Pahlavi directly addressed the regime’s security apparatus.
“This is a direct message addressed to Iran’s armed and security forces; you who wear a military uniform to defend the Iranian nation, and who are now facing an historic choice. At a time when the braver and united people of Iran are building and writing history, my question to you is this: on which side of history will you stand? Alongside the criminals or alongside the people?
“The issue is no longer whether the Islamic Republic, this corrupt and repressive regime, will fall or not; the only issue is the timing of its collapse, and that time is closer than ever,” Pahlavi said.
“In these decisive moments, I expect you to return to the embrace of the nation and to use your weapons not to fire on the people but to protect them. By doing so, you will not only fulfil your national duty, but you will also protect your own future and that of your families.”
The prince also stated that in the six months since he established the National Co-operation Platform, thousands of regime insiders have joined. The platform was set up to allow those within Iran’s regime structure to express their desire to join the opposition through a secure, private channel.
Separately, several Iranian Kurdish opposition parties issued a joint statement urging a general strike also yesterday to support the protests. Seven parties have called to escalate the protests, particularly in the Kurdish-majority provinces of Kermanshah and Ilam, as well as Lorestan.
The statement was signed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, Kurdistan Free Life Party, Komala, Kurdistan Organisation of the Communist Party of Iran, Revolutionary Komala of Toilers of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdistan Organisation of Khabat.
The Kurdish-majority city of Abdanan in western Iran saw large crowds take to the streets on Tuesday, with rumours spreading that police had joined the protests and the city was in the hands of the protesters, although this is yet to be confirmed.
At least 36 people have been killed through the first 10 days of the protests, according to human rights groups. Demonstrations have also spread to 92 cities nationwide.
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