Reza Pahlavi signals return, calls for seizing control of cities

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s ousted Shah who is currently based in the United States, has urged Iranians to intensify their protests. He said the objective of the movement is no longer limited to taking to the streets, but to preparing to seize and hold key centres of cities.

Pahlavi made the call according to news agency AFP in a video message released on Saturday, 10 January.

In the video, he said, “Our goal is no longer just to come out onto the streets. The goal is to prepare to take control of city centres and hold them.”

He also announced tougher protest programmes for Saturday and Sunday.

According to Al Arabiya, Pahlavi praised protesters for the large public turnout during Friday’s demonstrations. At the same time, he said he is preparing to return to Iran and believes he will be able to do so very soon.

It may be recalled that Reza Pahlavi’s father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later died in 1980.

Meanwhile, human rights activists have expressed deep concern over the ongoing protests and the crackdown. Norway-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights said at least 51 people have been killed so far in the recent repression.

The organization fears that the authorities may be trying to conceal the real situation by shutting down internet connections.

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi warned on Friday that the security forces could be preparing for mass killings.

Iranian authorities, however, said that several members of the security forces have also been killed in the clashes.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told protesters that the Islamic Republic would not retreat under any circumstances on Friday, . He blamed the unrest on the United States.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Friday hinted at new military action against Iran. Addressing Iran, he said, “If you start shooting, we will start shooting too.”