Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, published a sharp message directed at the Shiite public inside Iran, launching a direct attack on the Islamic Republic and its leadership.

In his remarks, Pahlavi argued that the regime has operated “in the name of religion” since its inception, but has delivered poverty, repression, and crimes against citizens that, he said, stand in direct contradiction to the very faith it claims to defend.

He accused Iran’s leadership and elements within the religious establishment of committing serious abuses against protesters in recent years. According to Pahlavi, these included live fire against civilians, harm to children, torture, and the killing of detainees — actions he said were carried out while invoking religious symbols and slogans.