Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi called for coordinated international measures to support protesters seeking to unseat Iran’s government, saying the Islamic Republic would fall “not if, but when”. Speaking in Washington, he urged states to concentrate pressure on the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to “facilitate our task and prevent more loss of life”.
Demonstrations that began on 28 December over economic conditions and the depreciating currency have evolved into calls for an end to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s rule. Iranian authorities have described the unrest as “riots” backed by the country’s enemies.
The US‑based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that at least 2,595 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, alongside 17 children, 164 people affiliated with the security forces or government, and 21 uninvolved civilians. HRANA also reports 22,104 arrests. Independent verification is constrained.
Security forces have used lethal force, while a near‑total shutdown of internet and communications has restricted reporting and coordination. Authorities have imposed an internet blackout since 8 January. International media, including the BBC, say newsgathering inside Iran is severely limited.
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against killing protesters, telling demonstrators earlier in the week that “help is on its way”. In an interview with CBS News, he said the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran executed protesters. He later said he had been told “the killing has stopped”, while not ruling out military action.
Iran’s parliament speaker warned that if the United States attacked, Israel and US military and shipping centres in the region would become legitimate targets. In a separate development, US and UK personnel numbers at Al‑Udeid Air Base in Qatar were reduced as a precaution, officials told CBS News.
At a Washington news conference on Friday, Pahlavi claimed some elements of Iran’s security apparatus had refused to participate in the crackdown and alleged the authorities had brought in fighters from foreign militias to suppress demonstrations. These assertions could not be independently verified.
Pahlavi called for international action focused on the IRGC’s command‑and‑control, including what he termed a “surgical strike”. He urged tighter economic pressure, the expulsion of Iranian diplomats, demands for the release of all political prisoners, and the deployment of satellite internet services such as Starlink to restore connectivity.
He said he intends to return to Iran and outlined a plan to develop a new constitution. Pahlavi stated that future leadership is for the Iranian people to decide, while arguing he can help lead a transition based on Iran’s territorial integrity, separation of religion and state, individual liberties and the public’s right to choose a democratic system.
Analysis: The proposals span sanctions design, diplomatic coordination and potential use of force. Expulsions, asset freezes and export restrictions are established tools but require allied alignment and evidential thresholds. Any strike against IRGC infrastructure would be a decision to use force with material escalation risks. Satellite connectivity would depend on licensing and technical access, and could expose users to retaliation. With reporting from inside Iran constrained, governments are likely to weigh humanitarian impact and regional security before escalating responses.