In a bold move, Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, has called for a controversial 'surgical strike' on the country's revolutionary guards, known as the IRGC. This call to action has put pressure on US President Donald Trump to fulfill his promise of supporting the Iranian protesters.
Pahlavi, who resides in exile near Washington, D.C., has positioned himself as the leader of the Iranian opposition. He believes that Trump will honor his word and come to the aid of the protesters, a sentiment he expressed when asked about the president's commitment.
However, despite Trump's initial threats, he was reportedly persuaded not to strike Iran on Wednesday night. This decision came after urgent calls from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Nevertheless, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group have been redirected towards Iran and are expected to arrive within a week.
The situation is further complicated by the arrival of David Barnea, the director of Israel's Mossad spy agency, in the US for talks on Iran. Barnea's presence adds another layer of intrigue to an already tense geopolitical landscape.
Pahlavi, in an interview, expressed his confidence in Trump's support for the Iranian people. He urged the international community to fully join the Iranian people in their struggle, specifically targeting the command structure of the IRGC.
"I'm calling for a surgical strike," Pahlavi said, backing Israel's military campaign against Iran in 2025. He emphasized the need to weaken the regime's ability to instill terror at home and abroad. Additionally, he called for the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from all countries.
During the ongoing protests, some Iranians have chanted Pahlavi's name, while others believe that Trump will intervene. Analysts predict that if Trump does take action, it will likely be in the form of precise air strikes or special forces operations, avoiding a full-scale ground invasion.
The nationwide demonstrations have resulted in over 2,600 deaths, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. This figure includes a Canadian citizen and a Red Cross worker, with other groups reporting even higher numbers.
The White House, through its spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, has maintained that only the president knows his next move. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has moved a carrier strike group from the South China Sea towards the Middle East, awaiting Iran's response.
The strike group, consisting of fighter jets, guided missile destroyers, and attack submarines, is expected to arrive within a week. Iranian authorities have shut down the internet to suppress news, suggesting that the death toll may rise significantly once services are restored.
Pahlavi has expressed his desire to lead a transition to a secular democracy, but he faces detractors who suspect his motives. Some believe he aims to restore the monarchy rather than empower the opposition within Iran.
"I reaffirm my lifelong pledge to lead the movement that will reclaim our country from the hostile force that occupies it and kills its children," Pahlavi stated. He further declared his intention to return to Iran.
Trump's threats to Iran have been taken seriously, with British and American troops evacuating an air base in Qatar on Wednesday. European officials warned of an attack within 24 hours, but Trump later retracted this statement.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group were spotted moving away from the Indo-Pacific region, according to satellite data. Trump is waiting for Iran's next move, considering striking ballistic missile sites and Iran's domestic security apparatus.
Advisers have expressed doubts about the US military's ability to launch strikes while protecting its troops from retaliation, especially with a significant presence in the Caribbean focused on Venezuela.
Trump's stance seemed to soften on Thursday after Iran canceled the execution of Erfan Soltani, a protester, which had sparked international outrage. The White House later confirmed that 800 scheduled executions on Wednesday had been halted, with Trump thanking the regime in Tehran.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged maximum restraint, warning that a strike could provoke a wider regional conflict. Iran and Russia blamed the US for influencing the protests to overthrow the government, accusations denied by the US envoy, Mike Waltz.
In a related development, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the protests in Iran. Putin offered Russia's help in mediating discussions, aiming to de-escalate the situation.
This complex web of international relations and geopolitical tensions leaves the future of Iran and the region hanging in the balance, with many questions and few certain answers.
