Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch, has said he is ready to lead the country if the current government collapses after the death of Ali Khamenei.
Pahlavi, who has lived in exile for decades, said he has accepted what he described as a call from the Iranian people to guide the country through a political transition.
He is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the ruler who was removed during the Iranian Revolution. Over the years, Pahlavi has become one of the most visible critics of the current Iranian government.
He has often encouraged protests against the Islamic Republic and called for the removal of the ruling system. He has also said Iran should rebuild closer ties with Western countries and Israel.
Khamenei was killed in strikes carried out by the United States and Israel inside Iran.
Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for choosing a new supreme leader. However, no successor has been announced yet.
For now, the country is being run by a temporary leadership council made up of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council.
In a video message shared on social media, Pahlavi accused Iran’s current rulers of spreading violence in the region for decades.
“For nearly five decades, this terrorist regime has brought chaos and bloodshed across our region,” he said.
He added that many Iranians have asked him to lead the country during a transition period once the current government is gone.
“I have accepted that responsibility,” he said.
“My goal is to restore stability and allow Iranians to decide their future through elections.”
Pahlavi also called on countries in the Arab world to support a future transitional government in Iran and work with it if political change takes place.
