As the smoke rises over the Grand Bazaar and the chants of “Death to Khamenei” echo through 92 cities, the Iranian people have found a voice that the mullahs in Tehran have spent four decades trying to silence. In a historic first, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued a direct call for a national uprising, signaling a potential death knell for the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Pahlavi’s message, delivered via social media to bypass the regime’s digital iron curtain, was clear: the time for “reform” is over; the time for reclamation is now. He stated in a social media post on Wednesday: My dear compatriots: Over the last week I have watched your demonstrations closely, particularly those that are taking place today in the bazaars of Tehran. Despite the regime’s ongoing crackdown, you are resisting, and it is inspiring. You have certainly noticed and seen that larger crowds have repeatedly led regime forces to flee and have even increased defections to the side of the people. Therefore, it is critical to keep these demonstrations disciplined, and as large as possible. Today, I am sharing my first call to action with you. This Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9, starting precisely at 8 p.m., wherever you are, whether in the streets or even from your own homes, I call on you to begin chanting exactly at this time. Based on your response, I will announce the next calls to action. من اولین فراخوان خود را امروز با شما در میان می‌گذارم و از شما دعوت می‌کنم که این پنج‌شنبه و جمعه، ۱۸ و ۱۹ دیماه، هم‌زمان سر ساعت ۸ شب، همگی چه در خیابان‌ها یا حتی از منازل خودتان شروع به سردادن شعار کنید. درنتیجه بازخورد این حرکت‌، من فراخوان‌های بعدی را به شما اعلام خواهم کرد. pic.twitter.com/TEDgXoJEbn — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 6, 2026 In another message, he appealed to the regime’s security apparatus, stating: This is a direct message addressed to Iran’s armed and security forces; you who wear a military uniform to defend the Iranian nation, and who are now facing a historic choice. At a time when the brave and united people of Iran are building and writing history, my question to you is this: on which side of history will you stand? Alongside the criminals or alongside the people? The issue is no longer whether the Islamic Republic, this corrupt and repressive regime, will fall or not; the only issue is the timing of its collapse, and that time is closer than ever. In these decisive moments, I expect you to return to the embrace of the nation and to use your weapons not to fire on the people but to protect them. By doing so, you will not only fulfill your national duty, but you will also protect your own future and that of your families. این پیامی مستقیم خطاب به نیروهای مسلح و امنیتی ایران است. pic.twitter.com/ygEabjCFwY — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 7, 2026 Pahlavi’s appeal lies in a potent blend of national heritage and democratic resolve. Unlike the gray, oppressive clerics who have bled the nation dry to fund proxy wars in Lebanon and Yemen, the Prince represents a bridge to Iran’s pre-1979 era. His rhetoric isn’t just about ousting a tyrant; it’s about restoring the dignity of a civilization. Meanwhile, Iranian Chief Justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, threatened, “From now on, there will be no leniency for whoever helps the enemy against the Islamic Republic and the calm of the people.” The regime’s response has been characteristically bloodthirsty. With at least 36 people reported dead and more than 2,000 arrested, the mullahs are clinging to power through the gallows, recently executing Ali Ardestani on dubious charges of “spying for Mossad.” This “shadow war” with Israel and the United States is the regime’s favorite scapegoat, but the Iranian people aren’t buying it. The Biden-Harris era of appeasement is over, and with President Donald Trump signaling a return to “Maximum Pressure” and support for the protesters, the wind is at Pahlavi’s back. The Crown Prince isn’t just a symbol of the past; he is increasingly looking like the architect of Iran’s future. The message from the streets of Abdanan to the ports of Bandar Abbas is clear: the prince is calling, and the people are answering.