Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has responded to reports claiming that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Pahlavi described the reported development as the “beginning of national celebration.” He compared Khamenei to Zahhak, a tyrannical figure in Persian mythology, and accused him of responsibility for the deaths of tens of thousands of Iranian youths.
Pahlavi wrote that with Khamenei’s end, the Islamic Republic has “effectively come to an end” and would soon be consigned to history. He also warned Iranian authorities against appointing a successor, urging members of the armed forces, security agencies and police to stand with the people, calling it their “final opportunity.”
Following the Iranian Revolution, which ended monarchical rule in Iran, the Pahlavi family went into exile. Reza Pahlavi has lived in the United States for decades and has positioned himself as an advocate for a secular and democratic Iran.
The United States and Israel have reportedly claimed that Khamenei has died. However, Iranian authorities have not confirmed the reports. Independent verification of the claims has not been publicly established.
