Exiled Prince Commends Dissident Football Legends Amid Continued Protests

Iranian exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi expressed solidarity with Iranian football legends Ali Daei and Ali Karimi who have been very supportive of the protest movement.

In a tweet Tuesday, the former crown prince whose father was ousted by the Islamic Revolution in 1979 said Daei and Karimi are assets of the nation who have not only made brought joy to the people many years, but also expressing solidarity with their struggle for the freedom of Iran now.

Reza Pahlavi’s comments came after the regime forced a commercial Dubai-bound Mahan Airlines plane to land in Kish Island to prevent the family of the outspoken Daei from leaving the country. Daei had earlier expressed support for the protest movement that has rocked the Islamic Republic since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in mid-September.

Karimi who lives abroad now has expressed solidarity with protesters on many occasions.

Meanwhile, Iranians across the country staged anti-government moves to mark the 103rd day of uprising against the regime again Tuesday evening.

Videos circulating on social media show in three neighborhoods in the west and east of the capital Tehran, including Shahran, Poonak and Pirouzi, people chanted anti-regime slogans from their windows and rooftops such as “Death to Khamenei” and calling him Zahak, a mythical the snakes on whose shoulders had to be fed with the brains of the youth on a daily basis.

“Khamenei, the Zahak, we will drag you to the ground!” has become one of the very popular slogans against the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Other videos shared on social media show people preparing fliers to urge others to join in the nightly window and rooftop chanting or spray-painting slogans on the ground and walls.

In Tabriz, Mahabad, and Bukan many paid homage to several of those killed in the protests, turning mourning processions for the victims into anti-regime demonstrations.