Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Says He Will Lead Transition After Khamenei’s Death

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, says he has accepted a call from supporters to lead the country through a political transition following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Pahlavi, the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, has long been a prominent figure among opponents of the Islamic Republic. Living in exile since the 1979 revolution, he has repeatedly urged Iranians to protest against the ruling system and has advocated stronger ties with Western countries and Israel.

Khamenei was killed Saturday in military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel inside Iran. Iranian authorities have not yet announced a permanent successor.

Under Iran’s constitution, the selection of a new supreme leader is the responsibility of the Assembly of Experts. Until a replacement is chosen, the country is being overseen by a temporary three-member council made up of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council.

In a video statement posted on X on Friday, Pahlavi said he had been asked by Iranians to guide the country after the current system ends.

“The Iranian people have called on me to lead the transition after the regime is gone,” he said. “I have accepted that responsibility.”

Pahlavi said his goal would be to stabilize the country and allow citizens to decide Iran’s political future through elections. He also said a future government should restore normal relations with other nations.

He called on governments in the Arab world to prepare to recognize and work with a transitional administration if one emerges.

The position of supreme leader remains the most powerful office in Iran’s political structure, holding final authority over state affairs. The Assembly of Experts has not indicated when it will announce a succ f ftessor to Khamenei.