The exiled Iranian crown prince and his daughter, who resides in Los Angeles, expressed their reactions to the reported death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, through impactful social media posts on Saturday.
Princess Noor Pahlavi, who has been vocal in her opposition to the Iranian regime for several months, took to her Instagram Story to share her thoughts as news of the attacks and the Ayatollah’s passing broke.
“We are witnessing a brutal theocracy, responsible for decades of oppression, finally facing repercussions. Many Iranians within the country are experiencing a bittersweet sense of relief,” she stated.
“This isn’t about glorifying war or claiming any moral high ground. When you’ve been suppressed by tyranny for over 45 years, any disruption in its hold feels liberating,” she continued.
Pahlavi further posted videos showing Iranians celebrating in the streets, captioning them with: “The Islamic Republic is under attack, and the people are laughing because they have endured this regime’s oppression for so long.”
Pahlavi also shared two videos of Iranians cheering in the streets and commented: “The Islamic republic is being bombarded. They are laughing because they have suffered under this regime for decades.”
Meanwhile, her father Reza Pahlavi – who has lived in the US since the 1979 revolution – reacted to reports that the Ayatollah was dead following the US and Israel airstrikes against Iran.
“The bloodthirsty Zahhak [an evil king in Iranian mythology] of our time, the killer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters, has been erased from the pages of history. With his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively come to an end and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he posted to X.
Pahlavi added that any attempt by the regime to appoint a successor was ”doomed to failure” because they will lack legitimacy and be ”complicit in the crimes of this regime.”
The exiled crown prince also warned the military, security, and police forces inside the country not to prop up the regime and to instead join the people “to help ensure Iran’s stable transition to a free and prosperous future.”
”The death of the criminal Khamenei, while it cannot bring back the spilled blood, can serve as a balm for the scorched hearts of the grieving families, the fathers and mothers, spouses and children in mourning, and the families of the selfless martyrs of Iran’s Lion and Sun National Revolution.”
He said the death marked Iran’s “great national celebration” and encouraged his fellow Iranians to “stay vigilant and prepared.”
“The time for a massive and decisive presence in the streets is very near. Together, united and steadfast, we will secure the final victory, and we will celebrate Iran’s freedom across our Ahura-created homeland. Long live Iran.”
Noor Pahlavi also wrote “Thank you” and her comments included a heart and crying face emoji.
The California Post reached out to Noor Pahlavi for comment.
Pahlavi’s grandfather Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, fled the 1979 Iranian Revolution that swept Ayatollah Khomeini and a host of religious clerics into power.
