‘You don't have much time’: As Iranians wait for Trump to act, Reza Pahlavi calls on army to abandon the regime

Alongside the recent message of support for the protesters in Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump, telling the Iranian people, “Help is on its way,” former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi also reiterated his call for the protesters to “continue the fight" while urging the army to defect.

“The world has not just seen and heard your voice and courage, it is now responding,” Pahlavi said in a message to the Iranian people on Tuesday. “By now, you have probably heard the message from the President of the United States, ‘Help is on the way.’ Continue the fight, as you have done so far.” 

Pahlavi also echoed Trump's comments of Trump, telling the people, “Save the names of all these criminals. They will be prosecuted for what they have done.” 

Then he spoke directly to members of the Iranian Army, which is separate from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is seen as more loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

My compatriots,

The world has not just seen and heard your voice and courage, it is now responding.

By now, you have probably heard the message from the President of the United States. Help is on the way.

Continue the fight, as you have done so far.

Do not allow this regime… https://t.co/KfotmDo0br

— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) January 13, 2026

“But I also have a special message for members of the Army,” Pahlavi continued. “I have a special message for the military personnel: You are the national army of Iran, not the army of the Islamic Republic. It is your duty to protect the lives of your fellow compatriots. You do not have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.” 

Pahlavi also spoke with U.S. media, warning that the Islamic regime is carrying out brutal massacres in Iran, while the world is still waiting to act. 

.@PahlaviReza warns the Iranian regime is carrying out brutal massacres, saying protesters are holding on as they wait for the moment outside help finally arrives:

“The level of massacre has been unbelievable, unfortunately. The regime is showing no pity, using military… pic.twitter.com/aszBNzIKDB

— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) January 13, 2026

“The level of massacre has been unbelievable, unfortunately,” Crown Prince Pahlavi told Fox News. “The regime is showing no pity, using military machinery to shoot protesters to death. Morgues are overfilled, yet these brave kids are still in the streets.” 

At the same time, Axios reported that White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Pahlavi over the weekend in the first high-level meeting between representatives of the Iranian opposition and the Trump administration since the protests began 15 days ago.

The meeting came after President Trump declined to meet with Pahlavi last week, saying such a meeting would not be “appropriate at this point.”

Pahlavi has long been a prominent rallying figure in the Iranian diaspora, but has encountered opposition among some, mostly left-wing, groups who are opposed to the return of monarchy to Iran.

During the protests, he has become the most visible opposition leader, as numerous videos showed crowds in Iran shouting slogans like "Long Live the King," and demanding the return of the Pahlavi dynasty. Pahlavi himself has vowed to lead the country to democracy.

A U.S. official told Axios that the White House has been surprised at his popularity. "There has been an ascendance of Pahlavi. They are chanting his name in demonstrations in many cities, and it seems to be happening organically," the official said.