Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, has said he is ready to lead a transitional process following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His remarks come as Iranian officials announced the start of formal succession procedures and the establishment of an interim leadership council.
Pahlavi calls for transition
In a post on X, Reza Pahlavi said that with Khamenei’s death, the Islamic Republic had effectively reached its end and would soon be consigned to history. Addressing Iran’s armed forces and security services, he warned that any attempt to support what he described as a collapsing regime would fail.
In an opinion article in the Washington Post, Pahlavi thanked US President Donald Trump for the strikes carried out by the United States against Iran and reiterated that he was prepared to lead a transition. He clarified that his role would be temporary, amid criticism from some quarters that he might seek to restore the monarchy.
Pahlavi said many Iranians had asked him to assume a transitional leadership role and called on citizens to remain vigilant, adding that the moment for a decisive public presence was approaching.
He outlined a proposed roadmap including the drafting of a new constitution to be approved by referendum, followed by free elections under international supervision. Once a vote is held, he said, the transitional government would dissolve.
According to Pahlavi, opposition groups have agreed on core principles, including the separation of religion and state, support for Iran’s territorial integrity and the protection of individual freedoms and equality before the law.
Interim leadership arrangements
Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former adviser to Khamenei, announced that the transition process had begun.
Speaking to Iranian state television, he said a temporary leadership council would be formed shortly. The council will include the president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council, and will assume responsibilities until a new supreme leader is selected.
Larijani also warned against attempts to divide the country, stating that authorities would not tolerate efforts to destabilise Iran and calling on citizens to remain united.