TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, said Friday that democracies need to "act now" in supporting resistance to the Islamic regime in Tehran.
"This regime is on its last leg. It's about to collapse," Pahlavi told a press conference in Washington where has spent decades living in exile after fleeing Iran in 1978.
"The democratic free world, which champions freedom and human rights and equality of citizens in the face of this regime's brutal repression, should act now," Pahlavi said in response to a question from DW's Washington bureau chief Ines Pohl about what he expects from Europe and Germany.
"These are critical moments, not just for us Iranians, but for the whole world," he said.
Crackdown quells protests, for now
Demonstrations centered around economic hardship in Iran began in late December. They quickly evolved into the largest threat to the Islamic regime's rule since it took power in a 1979 revolution that abolished the monarchy and toppled Pahlavi's father, shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Sparse reports from inside Iran indicate the scale of the protests was met with an extreme level of violence, topping what was seen during previous anti-regime protests in 2019 or 2022.
However, an ongoing internet blackout has made it difficult to verify the scale of the death toll or to receive accounts of violence at the hands of authorities.
The latest estimate provided by the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights, citing information from Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, shows 3,379 protesters were killed during the height of the violence between January 8 and 12.
The NGO emphasized this number was an "absolute minimum," and that the actual death toll could be much higher.
Even at a lower estimate, the death toll is many times greater than what was seen during previous crackdowns.
Rights groups reporting from inside Iran speaking with Reuters news agency on Friday said the protests appear to have mostly quieted, for now.
Europe should take action
Pahlavi said in Washington on Friday that Iranians risking their lives to protest are expecting Europeans to take "action to expedite this regime's collapse" and avoid more loss of life.
"We are not waiting for you to act to continue our fight. But imagine how much more we can protect innocent lives from dying by acting and helping us today," he said.
On Tuesday, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would "swiftly" propose new sanctions targeting those responsible for killing demonstrators.
"The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying. I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom," she said in a post on X.
This week, the EU also banned Iranian diplomats from European Parliament buildings.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the move was aimed at solidarity with the Iranian people and a demonstration that the EU "will not aid in legitimizing this regime."
Pahlavi has asked Europe to apply economic and political pressure on Iran's regime, but has not called for any military intervention.
U.S. support 'encouraging and empowering'
Pahlavi told reporters that he believes U.S. President Donald Trump will back up a promise that "help is on its way" after the U.S. president earlier this week encouraged protesters to continue, and warned the U.S. would respond with force if the killings didn't stop.
He said that unlike previous U.S. administrations, he does not believe Trump would "throw them under the bus."
"That's very encouraging and empowering," he said.
On Wednesday evening, Iran's justice ministry walked back plans announced hours earlier for trials and executions of Iranian protesters.
On Thursday, the White House said that Trump and his advisors warned Tehran of "grave consequences" if more protesters were killed, adding the president was keeping "all of his options on the table."
"I believe the president is a man of his word. How many days will it take? Who knows? Hopefully sooner than later. But as I said before, regardless of whether action is taken or not, we as Iranians have no choice to carry on the fight," Pahlavi said.
Trump has already expressed uncertainty that Pahlavi could draw significant support inside Iran should the Islamic regime collapse.
Reza Pahlavi positions himself as an opposition figure
Pahlavi has positioned himself as an alternative to the regime, and has courted Western support, including meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff last weekend, Axios reported.
Pahlavi said during a press conference that "large sections" of the Iranian army and security forces have "whispered" their loyalty to him, emphasizing he is positioned to ensure a stable transition of power in Iran.
It remains difficult to estimate the level of support on the ground in Iran for Pahlavi, amid the ongoing internet and media blackout. Some protesters were reported shouting his name.
"I will return to Iran," Pahlavi said Friday, without specifying when.
Read: Iran Says No Plan to Execute Protesters
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