‘The time has come’: Iranians face calls to overthrow the Islamic Republic

World leaders and international observers are calling on the Iranian people to overthrow the Islamic Republic as Israel’s onslaught continues to cripple the regime.

Israel attacked Iran in the early morning of June 13th in a surprise assault, targeting its nuclear facilities, destroying its ballistic missile factories, demolishing its air defenses, and assassinating its top military commanders and nuclear scientists. The attack was launched just hours after the expiration of President Trump’s 60-day ultimatum, which demanded Iranian leadership reach an agreement to end its nuclear program by June 12th. Trump says Israel has eliminated the “hardliners” who objected to a nuclear deal with the US.

Iran has retaliated by launching missiles at major population centers in Israel, so far killing at least 14 Israeli civilians and wounding hundreds of others. Israel continues to operate in Iran, targeting officials and bombing its infrastructure and energy facilities.

‘This is your opportunity’

Although Israel itself is not seeking to effect a regime change, many view its successful attack on Iran as an opportune time to overthrow the totalitarian government led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini.

“The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video addressed to the Iranian people. “The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years, threatens to destroy our country.”

“As we achieve our objective, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom,” he said.

Netanyahu exhorted Iranians to revolt against the regime, which is more vulnerable than ever as Israeli fighter jets continue their salvos and the Mossad launches attacks from deep inside Tehran.

“The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom — Zan, Zendegi, Azadi,” Netanyahu continued, repeating the battle cry of Iranian anti-government protests. “Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” he added.

Iran’s Crown Prince: ‘Overthrow the Islamic Republic’

Reza Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, echoed Netanyahu’s calls for a revolution. Pahlavi’s father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was the pro-West Shah of Iran until 1979, when he was overthrown by radical Islamists who installed the current brutal regime. Pahlavi was exiled by the ayatollahs and resides in a suburb of Washington, DC with his family. If the Islamic Republic were to be overthrown, the Pahlavi dynasty would likely be reinstated and Pahlavi would be highly favored to lead the country.

On Friday, Pahlavi urged his fellow Iranians to rise up against the Islamic Republic, which he called “weak and divided.”

"It could fall. As I have told my compatriots: Iran is yours and yours to reclaim. I am with you. Stay strong and we will win," he said in a statement published by France 24. "I have told the military, police, and security forces: break from the regime. Honor the oath of any honorable serviceman. Join the people."

"To the international community: do not throw yet another lifeline to this dying, terrorist regime," he said.

Pahlavi made similar remarks in a post on X.

“My message to the military, law enforcement, and security forces is clear: This regime and its corrupt and incompetent leaders do not value your lives or our Iran. Separate yourself from them and join the people.

“The Iranian nation's battle with the destructive regime of the Islamic Republic is to reclaim Iran and rebuild it. The solution is to overthrow the Islamic Republic through street protests and nationwide strikes.

“I am with you in these difficult times. We are all in this fight together and we will win,” he wrote.

‘Soon in Tehran’

Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Pahlavi, captioned with the words: “Soon in Tehran.”

Mark Dubowitz, Iranian affairs expert and CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said: “May Israel’s strikes weaken the regime enough for the Iranian people to rise up and reclaim the freedom and dignity they’ve been denied for far too long.”

Goldie Ghamari, a Canadian politician born in Iran, said Pahlavi has “80% support inside Iran” from the population. Ghamari’s family was one of many that fled Iran amid the Islamic revolution in 1979. Her father narrowly escaped assassination by the Islamic regime.

Are dissidents protesting?

Videos circulating on social media appear to show anti-regime protests forming in Iran, though the extent of them is unclear. Iranian officials shut down internet access after Israel’s attack, presumably to prevent civilians from coordinating protests. On Saturday, Elon Musk said he activated Starlink satellites to give the Iranian people independent internet access.

A Tehran resident named Azita told Ynet News that many dissidents are paralyzed with fear.

“Since Thursday night, our mood—those of us who oppose the regime—has swung between euphoria and deep fear,” she said. “Between joy over the change underway and sorrow over what has become of our country. That’s one of the reasons we’re still sitting at home, practically paralyzed, not organizing or taking any action.”

Most of the people on the streets, said Azita, are regime supporters who are looking to take out their frustration at Israel’s attack on those protesting the regime. Despite this, she says many Iranians like her are ready to make severe sacrifices.

“We’re ready to pay any price—even our lives—to end this nightmare,” Azita said. “It’s been 46 years of a nightmare. We are secular people; religion in Iran has destroyed our lives. But since Friday morning, we’ve been praying. We hope Israel doesn’t settle for hitting launchers and defense systems. For us, those strikes are only symbolic.”

The dissident said that the only way Israel can effect real change is by toppling the regime through continued targeting of Iranian officials.

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