Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Exiled crown prince receives communications from serving officers pledging loyalty amid rising tensions
A growing number of serving Iranian military, police and intelligence officers are reported to have reached out to exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi in recent days, expressing their intent to defect and offering allegiance to him.
The contacts come amid escalating tensions following recent military strikes in the region.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch, publicly urged members of the armed forces to separate themselves from Iran’s current leadership and “join the people,” describing the nation’s confrontation as one between the regime and the public—not a national conflict.
He reiterated that the military should honor their oath to the country rather than to its clerical rulers .
Sources close to Pahlavi’s network indicate that the communications include expressions of loyalty to his mission to lead a transition toward democracy in the event of the regime’s collapse.
The contacts have reportedly come from individuals within the regular army, the Republican Guard, police forces and intelligence services.
The outreach follows recent Israeli air strikes inside Iran, which reportedly damaged key installations and killed senior military figures—events that Pahlavi described as “Khamenei’s war,” rather than Iran’s war .
In the wake of these incidents, Pahlavi intensified his appeal, framing the moment as critical for service members to break ranks with the regime.
Pahlavi’s public statements, delivered in both Persian and English via videos and written messages, emphasise that the current leadership is “corrupt” and poses a threat to soldiers’ lives and the future of Iran .
He has positioned himself not as a monarch seeking restoration, but as a civilian figure aiming to guide a democratic transition led by the Iranian people.
Information regarding the precise number and affiliations of the officers in contact with Pahlavi is limited.
There has been no official response from Iran’s government or military to these accounts.
The situation remains fluid, with Pahlavi’s team reviewing and verifying the communications.
Separately, Pahlavi and his supporters have called for civil resistance measures including mass strikes and protests.
He has urged international support focused on internal opposition rather than military intervention .
At present, no further validation of these defection claims has been offered by independent monitoring groups or international observers.
The contacts come amid escalating tensions following recent military strikes in the region.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch, publicly urged members of the armed forces to separate themselves from Iran’s current leadership and “join the people,” describing the nation’s confrontation as one between the regime and the public—not a national conflict.
He reiterated that the military should honor their oath to the country rather than to its clerical rulers .
Sources close to Pahlavi’s network indicate that the communications include expressions of loyalty to his mission to lead a transition toward democracy in the event of the regime’s collapse.
The contacts have reportedly come from individuals within the regular army, the Republican Guard, police forces and intelligence services.
The outreach follows recent Israeli air strikes inside Iran, which reportedly damaged key installations and killed senior military figures—events that Pahlavi described as “Khamenei’s war,” rather than Iran’s war .
In the wake of these incidents, Pahlavi intensified his appeal, framing the moment as critical for service members to break ranks with the regime.
Pahlavi’s public statements, delivered in both Persian and English via videos and written messages, emphasise that the current leadership is “corrupt” and poses a threat to soldiers’ lives and the future of Iran .
He has positioned himself not as a monarch seeking restoration, but as a civilian figure aiming to guide a democratic transition led by the Iranian people.
Information regarding the precise number and affiliations of the officers in contact with Pahlavi is limited.
There has been no official response from Iran’s government or military to these accounts.
The situation remains fluid, with Pahlavi’s team reviewing and verifying the communications.
Separately, Pahlavi and his supporters have called for civil resistance measures including mass strikes and protests.
He has urged international support focused on internal opposition rather than military intervention .
At present, no further validation of these defection claims has been offered by independent monitoring groups or international observers.
