The son of Iran's last Shah, Reza Pahlavi, called for the overthrow of the regime in Tehran on Monday, June 23, and offered himself as the country's interim leader. Pahlavi compared the overthrow of the current dictatorship in Iran to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This was reported by BFM television and The Jerusalem Post, TASR reports.

At a press conference in Paris, Pahlavi called for regime change in Iran and announced that he would form an opposition front.

He condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for its continued oppression of the Iranian people. He warned the international community against saving the current regime, stressing that the development of the nuclear program will be stopped “only by a democratic Iran.” He called the fall of the current regime “the only option left to us.”

In his speech, Pahlavi also addressed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly, calling on him to step down.

"Step down. If you do, you will receive a fair and proper trial. That is more than you have ever given to any Iranian," Pahlavi urged. He told the representatives of the current regime that they too would go to court.

Pahlavi also appealed to the"patriotic members" of the Iranian armed forces, urging them that now was the time to join the nation. He added that if they did so, he would ensure that their"service to Iran would not be forgotten and would be appreciated."

According to Pahlavi, there is no threat of civil war in Iran after the fall of the theocratic regime there. In an interview with BFM, Pahlavi argued that even during mass demonstrations for women's rights, residents of different regions of Iran were able to unite and demand civil liberties."The Iranian people are united against this regime," said Pahlavi, who is still considered by some in Iranian exile to be the Iranian crown prince.

He announced that he would create a platform for those dissatisfied with the Iranian regime to reach out and help expand the growing network of anti-regime activists.

Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, spoke during a press conference on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Paris.

"I am entering into the leadership of this transformation, not out of personal interests, but as a servant of the Iranian people," Pahlavi said."I have a clear plan for transformation and national renewal," he added.

In his speech at a press conference, Pahlavi offered three basic principles for a new order for Iran: territorial integrity; individual freedoms and equality for all citizens; and separation of religion and state. He added that his team of experts would publish plans for the first 100 days after the fall of the Islamic Republic in the coming days.

He concluded his press conference speech with a call to his compatriots:"This is our moment. I am with you. Let's build a new Iran together."

Similar statements by Pahlavi are not new and have been part of his approach to Iran for many decades. Despite being the heir to the Iranian throne, he joined secular democratic anti-regime groups in exile. Although he is the crown prince, he has repeatedly stated that he will not accept the throne. He would only do so if the people demanded it in a referendum.