WASHINGTON D.C, March 3, 2026 – In a powerful statement released today on X (formerly Twitter), Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah of Iran and a leading voice in the Iranian opposition, directly addressed ethnic and tribal communities in western Iran, assuring them of full equality and protection of their identities once the Islamic Republic falls.
The message, posted in both Persian and English, targets residents of Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Western Azerbaijan provinces, as well as Azeris, Kurds, Lors, the Yarsan community, and the proud tribes of Jaff, Kalhor, Sanjabi, and Bakhtiari.
“From the very first days of the Islamic Republic’s rule, you have endured repression, discrimination, and injustice at the hands of this authoritarian and criminal regime—yet you have never surrendered,” Pahlavi wrote. He highlighted their sacrifices over 47 years, especially during what he called the “National Lion and Sun Revolution,” noting that they have “given dozens of your best sons and daughters—forever remembered—in the cause of freedom.”
Pahlavi went on to deliver a firm pledge for the future:
“I assure you that I will devote my utmost effort to ensuring that in a free Iran, under a government founded on the separation of religion and state, grounded in the rule of law and equal citizenship, you will no longer face discrimination. You will be able, like every other Iranian, to live freely while preserving your identity, and to benefit justly and equitably from the blessings of a liberated Iran.”
He described these communities as “an inseparable part of Iran’s historical and cultural fabric” and “guardians of our territorial integrity,” urging them to remain united.
“We stand at the threshold of this regime’s fall,” Pahlavi declared. “Yet we must remain vigilant and prepared, and deny opportunistic forces—those who have long cast covetous eyes on Iran’s soil—the chance to exploit this moment. I firmly believe that through national unity and shared resolve, a bright future awaits you and every Iranian.”
The statement was accompanied by a video in its original Persian version, which has already sparked widespread support among Iranians abroad and inside the country, with replies flooding in under hashtags #JavidShah and #KingRezaPahlavi.
This message comes at a time of heightened tension, as opposition to the Islamic Republic continues to grow across Iran’s diverse ethnic regions. Pahlavi’s emphasis on national unity and territorial integrity appears aimed at countering any attempts at division during a potential transition of power.
The full English statement has been viewed over 33,000 times within hours of posting and continues to gain traction.
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