February 12, 2026, 2:45 p.mFebruary 12, 2026, 2:45 p.m
The son of the late Iranian Shah, Reza Pahlavi, has called for a US military strike against the Islamic rulers in Iran to force their overthrow.
Shah’s son Reza Pahlavi calls for US military action for Iran’s freedom.Image: keystone
“Such a blow against the repressive apparatus would not be an external intervention, but rather a humanitarian intervention,” said the 65-year-old Pahlavi in a “Spiegel” interview. In Pahlavi’s view, US President Donald Trump has the chance to “make history” by helping the Iranian people achieve freedom. He also wants to address this demand at the Munich Security Conference. “The freedom movement in Iran needs support – politically, economically, if necessary militarily,” said Pahlavi.
Last year he was disinvited by the organizers in Munich. He described the protests at the end of December and beginning of January as a “revolution”. The government has been severely weakened and has nothing left to offer the people. That is why now is the moment for a targeted strike against the country’s revolutionary guards and security forces, who have thousands of people on their conscience. “There is no turning back,” said the self-proclaimed opposition leader.
Pahlavi wants a Nuremberg-style trial
He himself wants to return to Iran to lead the overthrow there. He is then planning a referendum in which Iranians will decide whether they want a constitutional monarchy or a republic in the future. He wants to unite the divided opposition with the four principles of equality, secularism, democracy and civil liberties.
In his opinion, trials should take place for the “demons” in the country’s political leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, based on the model of the Nuremberg Trials against the Nazi leadership after the Second World War.
In the unrest in Iran in late December and early January, many demonstrators called for the return of the monarchy, which was overthrown after the 1979 Islamic revolution. With slogans such as “Long live the king” and “This is the last fight, Pahlavi will return” they made it clear who they wanted as an interim solution after a possible overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
But Pahlavi also has many critics in the country because of his father’s undemocratic past. Pahlavi had already tried to take on the role of opposition leader after the 2022 women’s movement. But apart from verbal support he could achieve little, which is why his importance quickly faded. He also now declared his willingness to take responsibility and lead the ongoing “national and legitimate revolution” to success. (hkl/sda/dpa)