Iran's Crown Prince Calls for Regime Change, Citing Deadly Crackdown

Exiled leader Reza Pahlavi rallies supporters in Munich, urging world leaders to increase pressure on Tehran government

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for regime change in his home country, citing the deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Germany, Pahlavi urged world leaders to ramp up pressure on the Iranian government, which he said has shown it will kill enough people to stay in power. Pahlavi's comments came as thousands of his supporters rallied in Munich, chanting for 'regime change' and waving flags from before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Why it matters

The protests in Iran have posed one of the biggest challenges to the country's theocratic government in decades. Pahlavi, who has been in exile for nearly 50 years, is trying to position himself as a key player in Iran's future as the regime faces growing international pressure over its violent crackdown on dissent.

The details

Pahlavi called for rallies in support of the Iranian protesters in Los Angeles and Toronto, in addition to the large demonstration in Munich. The crowd in Germany chanted 'Change, change, regime change' and waved flags featuring the lion and sun emblem used before the 1979 revolution. Some demonstrators wore 'Make Iran Great Again' red caps, mimicking the MAGA caps of former U.S. President Donald Trump's supporters. Pahlavi warned that the Iranian government's survival 'sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power.'

  • The protests in Iran that sparked the crackdown began in January 2026.

The players

Reza Pahlavi

The exiled Crown Prince of Iran, who is trying to position himself as a key player in the country's future as the government faces growing international pressure over its violent crackdown on dissent.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president, whose 'Make America Great Again' slogan was echoed by some of the demonstrators in Munich.

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What they’re saying

“We have huge hopes and (are) looking forward that the regime is going to change hopefully.”

— Daniyal Mohtashamian, Demonstrator

“We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran?”

— Reza Pahlavi

“The Iranian government's continued survival 'sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power.'”

— Reza Pahlavi

What’s next

The international community is expected to continue monitoring the situation in Iran and considering additional measures to pressure the government over its crackdown on protesters.

The takeaway

Pahlavi's rallying cry for regime change in Iran highlights the ongoing struggle for political and social reform in the country, as the government faces growing domestic and international condemnation for its violent response to the protests.