Exiled prince lays out plan for Iran’s democratic transition amid protests

Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi outlines a roadmap to topple Ayatollah Khamenei and replace the Islamic Republic with a secular democracy, arguing change must come from inside Iran via sustained protests and defections, with an amnesty offered to defectors and a rapid transition government formed after a referendum. He urges against foreign military intervention, seeks more Western support for dissent (including Starlink access) and a constitutional conference to draft a new settlement, while keeping open the option of a monarchy but prioritizing human rights and secular governance. The path remains uncertain amid a brutal crackdown and a fragmented opposition, but Pahlavi’s role as a potential transitional figure has grown as protests widen.