Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi hails US-Israel strikes, says ‘we are very close to final victory’

WASHINGTON, DC: The exiled Iranian crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, praised recent US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, describing them as a turning point in efforts to topple the country’s ruling establishment.

In a video address shared on social media, Pahlavi said the campaign marked a decisive moment for what he characterized as Iran’s liberation.

He urged members of Iran’s military and security forces to distance themselves from the current leadership and align with the public. His remarks come as military operations continue and regional tensions intensify. 

Pahlavi calls strikes ‘humanitarian intervention,’ urges security forces to defect

Pahlavi, who has lived in the United States since the 1979 revolution, framed the strikes as support for the Iranian people rather than an attack on the nation itself. 

“Moments of destiny lie ahead of us. The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter, not the country and great nation of Iran,” Pahlavi said.

He added that the outcome would depend on internal action. “But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle." 

Pahlavi said “the Islamic Republic is collapsing” and called on military, police, and security personnel to shift their allegiance.

“Your duty is to defend the people, not a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei’s sinking ship and his regime.”

While encouraging public mobilization, he also urged caution. “I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and 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 said. “We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran.”

Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ under Operation Epic Fury

President Trump, on Saturday, February 28, confirmed that the United States had launched “major combat operations” against Iran, acknowledging the potential risks involved.

In a video shared on Truth Social, Trump said, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” describing the escalation as a “noble mission” for the future of the world.

The Pentagon named the offensive “Operation Epic Fury,” marking the second time the administration has conducted strikes on Iranian territory since last year.

Unlike prior single-day attacks on nuclear facilities in June 2025, a US official said the current operation is expected to unfold over multiple days.

The president stated that the action followed unsuccessful diplomatic efforts concerning Iran’s nuclear program, asserting that Washington “can’t take it anymore” after Tehran rejected opportunities to renounce its activities. While the administration said measures had been taken to reduce risks to US personnel, Trump maintained that the Iranian leadership actively “seeks to kill.”