Exiled prince Reza Shah Pahlavi thanks Trump for killing Khamenei

Exiled former crown prince Reza Shah Pahlavi has issued a statement welcoming the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an article published in the Washington Post, he described the change as an "opportunity for freedom" for the Iranian people.

Pahlavi began his article by thanking US President Donald Trump, who recently told Iranians, "Your time for freedom has come."

According to the former crown prince, for nearly half a century the Islamic Republic has undermined the sovereignty of Iran's interior and neighbouring countries and fuelled conflict worldwide. It has also sought to destabilise international stability by developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

However, Pahlavi believes the most "heinous crimes" have been committed within the country itself. The killing of thousands of protesters during the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in January, he said, was an inhumane act.

He also offered a proposal for Iran's future. Pahlavi said a new constitution needs to be drafted for the country, which would be approved through a referendum. Thereafter, free and fair elections must be organised under international supervision.

He further wrote, "History rarely announces its turning points in advance, but there come times when courage, leadership and unity can change a nation's course."

International circles are now analysing how influential this exiled prince's voice will be in Iran's internal politics following Khamenei's death. The Pahlavi family has been living outside the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.