Iran’s Exiled Prince Urges Widespread Strikes, More Protests

Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi
Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi

Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continuation of nationwide strikes and protests across Iran to overthrow the Islamic Republic. 

Pahlavi said on Saturday that "The Islamic Republic has been overthrown in your minds and hearts, and will soon be overthrown in Iran's streets as well."

“The secret of victory is unity, solidarity and continuity. Complete the street protests with widespread strikes,” he said. 

Earlier in the week, the son of the late Shah of Iran said, “Multiple reports indicate the spread of strikes from cultural and educational sectors to the service and industry sectors,” calling it “a step in the right direction.”

In an interview with Jerusalem Post October 3, he described the current uprising in the country as the beginning of a revolution, saying, “We are indeed in more than tumultuous times in my country. We are in revolutionary times.”

“The popular uprisings we are seeing in hundreds of cities and towns across Iran have a very clear goal: the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and the establishment of a secular democracy based on human rights,” he said.

As protests in Iran – sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody -- continue into their fourth week, pundits and politicians speculate that Iranians are more angry than scared, more hopeful than frustrated.