Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi calls for nationwide strikes; preparing to return to Iran
Iran’s former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, living in exile, on Saturday issued a fresh call for mass strikes and intensified street protests, urging Iranians working in key economic sectors to stop work and move towards occupying the centre of Tehran.
In a video message posted on X, Pahlavi voiced strong support for protesters across Iran and praised their continued demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the ruling establishment. “My dear compatriots, through your courage and resilience, you have earned the admiration of the world,” he said, referring to protests held across the country on Friday evening. Calling the demonstrations a “crushing response” to threats from the leadership, Pahlavi claimed the Iranian leader “saw these images from his hideout and trembled with fear.”
The exiled crown prince said the next phase of the movement must focus on economic pressure and sustained street presence. “I call upon the workers and employees of key economic sectors—especially transportation, oil, gas, and energy—to begin the process of nationwide strikes,” he said.
He also appealed for coordinated protests over the weekend. “I ask all of you today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday (January 9 and 10/Day 20 and 21), starting from 6:00 PM, to take to the streets with flags, portraits, and national symbols to reclaim public spaces,” Pahlavi said. He added that the objective had now shifted: “Our goal is no longer merely to be present in the streets; the goal is to prepare for the capture and holding of city centres.”
Urging protesters to converge strategically, he said, “Move toward the central parts of cities from as many different routes as possible and merge separate crowds together,” while asking demonstrators to prepare to remain on the streets. Addressing security personnel sympathetic to the movement, Pahlavi called on them to “slow down and disrupt the machine of suppression more than ever before.”
In a significant claim, Pahlavi also said he was preparing to return to Iran. “I, too, am preparing for my return to the homeland to stand beside you, the great nation of Iran, at the moment of our national revolution’s victory. I believe that day is very near,” he said.