HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Reza Pahlavi, son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s last shah, called the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei an “earth-shattering event” this past weekend.
Pahlavi said in an interview with CBS News’s “60 Minutes” that the strike against Khamenei, done by Israel with U.S. help, was a “humanitarian intervention” that liberated the Iranian public.
“It is definitely a sort of earth-shattering event in the sense of when people identify the entire monstrosity of the regime that is depicted ultimately by the chief monster of these monsters,” Pahlavi said.
“When he’s gone – the minute such a personality disappears, it’s like elation. It was like, ‘Oh my God, it has finally occurred. Maybe this is it, this is our chance now.’”
Some videos shared to social media show Iranians celebrating Khamenei’s killing, although others feature people mourning the ruler. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a video message on Sunday that the country was grieving.
“Our great nation who are now mourning this great martyr must foil the enemy’s evil plans by being present in mosques and on the streets,” he urged viewers, as translated by the Associated Press.
Pahlavi accused Iranian leaders in his interview of committing atrocities to stay in power. Human rights groups have estimated that the government has killed thousands of people in protests against it over the past couple of months, although independent verification is challenging.
“Ever since this regime has taken over, how many Iranians’ lives have been lost?” Pahlavi said. “I don’t think you can have an example of such level of atrocity ever in the history of Iran, or at least contemporary Iran, that has occurred under this regime.”
Khamenei, who served as supreme leader for nearly four decades, defended his administration’s response to the protests as they grew in January. He said in a social media post after the new year that “rioters” needed to be “put in their place.”
“Protesting is legitimate, but protesting is different from rioting,” Khamenei wrote on X. “We talk with protesters. The officials must talk with he protesters. But, there’s no point in talking with a rioter.”
The ruler also accused the U.S. and its allies of inciting violence against his regime. President Donald Trump urged Iranians in January to “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS,” a message he repeated during Saturday’s attacks.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said in announcing the strikes. “This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
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