Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, revealed a strategic 6-step plan on Friday aimed at intensifying pressure on the current regime, asserting its downfall is a matter of “when, not if.”
“My courageous compatriots, who continue to stand firm with resilience despite their suffering, need immediate support. Let there be no doubt—the Islamic Republic is nearing its end,” Pahlavi announced.
He continued, “Ali Khamenei and his cohorts are aware of this impending collapse, which is why they behave like cornered animals, desperately trying to hold on to power. The Iranian people have not retreated. Their steadfastness signifies they are not just rejecting this regime but are calling for a new, credible direction forward. They have asked me to lead this charge.”
Pahlavi outlined his detailed plan for a smooth transition and appealed to the global community to take six actions. Firstly, he urged them to safeguard the Iranian populace by weakening the regime’s oppressive capabilities, with a focus on targeting the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and dismantling its command infrastructure.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Iranian crown prince, addresses the press during a conference on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
He added, “Secondly, apply and maintain maximum economic pressure on the regime by freezing their global assets and dismantling their network of covert oil tankers.”
“Third, break through the regime’s information blockade by enabling unrestricted internet access. Deploy Starlink and other secure communications tools widely across Iran and conduct cyber operations to disable the regime’s ability to shut down the internet. Fourth, hold the regime accountable by expelling its diplomats from your capitals and pursue legal enforcement actions against those responsible for crimes against humanity,” Pahlavi continued.
“Fifth, demand the immediate release of all political prisoners. Six, prepare for a democratic transition in Iran by committing to recognize a legitimate transitional government when the moment comes,” he concluded.
Iranian demonstrators gather in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency’s value, in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 8, 2026. (Stringer/WANA/Reuters)
Pahlavi’s remarks came as President Donald Trump seemed to remain ambivalent about the possibility of Pahlavi taking over the country if the Islamic regime were to fall.
“He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country,” Trump told Reuters during an interview on Wednesday. “And we really aren’t up to that point yet.
“I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me,” he added.
When Pahlavi was asked Friday by a reporter about how he plans to win Trump over, he said, “President Trump has said that it’s up to the Iranian people to decide, and I totally agree.”
President Donald Trump has yet to give exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi the green light to lead if the regime in Iran falls. (Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images)
“I’ve always said it’s for the Iranian people to decide. And I think the Iranian people have already demonstrated in great numbers who it is that they want them to lead to this transition,” he added. “So I’m confident that I have the support of my compatriot. And as for the international leaders to assess the fact on the ground and see who is capable of doing that. I believe I can, and I have the Iranian people’s support.”
