Reza Pahlavi has said he is ready to lead Iran if the current government collapses following the death of Ali Khamenei. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile for decades, said he has accepted what he described as a call from Iranians to guide the country through a political transition.
Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was removed from power during the Iranian Revolution. Over the years, he has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of Iran’s current leadership.
In a video message posted on social media, Pahlavi accused the Islamic Republic of spreading instability across the Middle East for decades. He said many Iranians have asked him to step forward and lead the country during a transition if the present system collapses.
He pledged that his goal would be to restore stability and allow the Iranian people to decide their future through democratic elections. Pahlavi has previously advocated closer relations between Iran, Western nations and Israel.
Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for appointing a new supreme leader. However, no successor has been announced, and the country is currently being run by a temporary leadership council consisting of the president, the head of the judiciary and a member of the Guardian Council.
