Paris, February 3 — Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, has called on Iranians living abroad and international supporters to stage street demonstrations on February 14, naming the date a Global Day of Action in solidarity with Iran’s Lion-and-Sun Revolution. In a post on X, Pahlavi set out six demands for the international community: dismantle the regime’s repression apparatus; cut off its financial lifelines; guarantee free internet and communications; expel regime diplomats and hold officials criminally accountable; release all political prisoners; and recognize a transitional government to lead Iran toward democracy.
Pahlavi argued that the Islamic Republic has failed to break popular will despite what he described as massacre and brutal violence, saying the era of fear is ending and freedom is approaching. He highlighted planned gatherings in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto, and urged those who cannot travel to organize demonstrations in their own cities.
The appeal comes amid continued anti-government unrest inside Iran, which authorities have blamed on foreign interference. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the protests, citing a remark by former US President Donald Trump that help was on the way. Khamenei also compared some protesters to Islamic State militants, alleging they committed killings, while distinguishing between legitimate protests by shopkeepers and traders and what he called seditionists. He further alleged involvement by foreign intelligence services.
Tensions have been rising regionally. Trump warned that large warships were moving to the area and suggested that negative outcomes could follow if a nuclear deal with Iran was not reached. He said powerful US naval forces were nearby and expressed hope for a negotiated settlement in the coming days.
At the same time Tehran signaled cautious openness to renewed nuclear talks with Washington. Iranian officials said they were reviewing regional diplomatic initiatives to defuse tensions and expected a framework for negotiations soon. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said indirect talks continued, with regional intermediaries relaying messages and several points under finalization.
Media reports named Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as a possible interlocutor with a US special envoy, though no meeting was confirmed. Iran’s state news agency reported Araghchi had telephoned counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye. Local outlets said President Masoud Pezeshkian had instructed a resumption of nuclear discussions and suggested Iran and the United States would hold talks on the nuclear file.
These developments follow the deployment of US warships to the Middle East and renewed diplomatic outreach after nuclear negotiations stalled last year following attacks on Iranian facilities. Khamenei warned that any attack on Iran could trigger a regional war. The United States and European Union continue to express concern about Iran’s nuclear activities, which Tehran insists are for civilian purposes. Washington has outlined preconditions for returning to talks, including ending certain uranium enrichment activities, curtailing the missile program and halting support for regional armed groups. Iran says it is willing to discuss the nuclear issue but considers its missile forces and regional alliances non-negotiable.
Analysts and officials link the diplomatic push in part to Iran’s need for sanctions relief amid mounting economic pressure and the fallout from January’s mass protests. The situation remains fluid, with both diplomatic and security developments unfolding alongside domestic unrest.
