The son of Iran's ousted Shah Reza Pahlavi has insisted that Iranians must free themselves from their religious leaders, even after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, AFP reports.
"What remains constant in our struggle as Iranians is to free ourselves from this regime," Pahlavi told French television network LCI.
Pahlavi, whose father Mohammad Reza was overthrown by the Islamic Revolution in 1979, has repeatedly said he is ready to lead a transition if the Islamic republic falls in the war with the United States and Israel that erupted in late February.
But it represents just one of several Iranian groups that are often in bitter conflict.
Pahlavi on LCI responded to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said last week that the war had achieved "regime change" and that the United States "is dealing with different people than anyone it has dealt with before."
"What regime change? These are the same people. We still have the same person in the parliament. The same people are still in the judiciary. Khamenei's son has replaced him. "For us, this is not regime change," Pahlavi added.
Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran after nationwide protests sparked a government crackdown that rights groups say has killed thousands.
The son of the deposed shah was supported by protesters chanting the name of the family dynasty during January rallies against the clerical system, and then at huge rallies in support of the monarchy in February in Munich and several North American cities.
But he also failed to win recognition from Trump, who has never formally met Pahlavi and has repeatedly expressed skepticism about his ability to lead Iran.
In a Persian-language address to Iranians, also broadcast on his YouTube channel on Wednesday night, Pahlavi predicted that Iranians themselves would one day overthrow the Islamic Republic. republic.
"The Islamic Republic has no escape route and no chance of survival and will fall into your hands - the great nation of Iran", he said.
He acknowledged that the ceasefire had "discouraged" many of his supporters, but insisted that the theocratic authorities had suffered an "unprecedented blow" in the war.
"We, the Iranian nation, must deliver the final blow to this weakened regime", he said.
He acknowledged that "its capacity for repression has not been completely eliminated" and people must "remain patient and defend themselves" and "wait for the decisive moment".