Speaking at a press conference in Paris on June 23, Pahlavi widely referred to by his supporters as the Crown Prince claimed that the foundations of the Islamic Republic were “shaking,” likening the current moment to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

“The military is fractured. The people are united. The foundations of this 46-year tyranny are shaking,” he said. “This is our Berlin Wall moment. But like all moments of great change, it comes with great danger.”

Pahlavi, 64, was heir to the Peacock Throne before the Pahlavi dynasty was ousted during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He has lived in exile in the United States for decades but remains an influential figure among segments of the Iranian diaspora.

He claimed without offering concrete evidence that he had received credible reports that Khamenei and other regime officials were preparing to flee Iran as the United States joined Israel’s bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities.

In a direct message to Khamenei, Pahlavi urged: “Step down, and if you do, you will receive a fair trial and due process of law.”

He also announced the creation of a “secure platform” to support coordination among dissidents and regime opponents within Iran, promising it would serve as a foundation for a peaceful and democratic transition.

While Pahlavi does not hold formal political office, his appearance marks one of the strongest public appeals by an exiled Iranian figure during the current crisis, which has seen increasing civilian casualties and regional instability.

The Islamic Republic has not responded publicly to Pahlavi’s remarks.

Washington, D.C., June 16, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump called for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Sunday, as the escalating conflict enters its fourth day with rising civilian casualties on both sides.

Trump confirmed that the United States is not involved in Israel’s ongoing military strikes against Iran, despite reports suggesting that Israeli officials had lobbied Washington to participate in operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“I hope both sides will come to their senses soon,” Trump said during a brief press conference at Mar-a-Lago. “This is a very dangerous situation, but the United States is not currently involved militarily.”

Trump also revealed he held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, in which the Israel–Iran conflict was a key topic. The former president said both leaders agreed that regional escalation must be prevented and emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions.

His remarks come as global leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canada’s Prime Minister Sophie Trudeau, call for immediate de-escalation and humanitarian protections amid reports of civilian deaths in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Tehran.