Pahlavi: Khamenei's Death Marks the Actual End of the ‘Islamic Republic’

FILE PHOTO: Reza Pahlavi, the last heir apparent to the defunct throne of the Imperial State of Iran and the current head of the exiled House of Pahlavi speaks during an interview with Reuters in Washington, US, January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Reza Pahlavi, the last heir apparent to the defunct throne of the Imperial State of Iran and the current head of the exiled House of Pahlavi speaks during an interview with Reuters in Washington, US, January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
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Pahlavi: Khamenei's Death Marks the Actual End of the ‘Islamic Republic’

FILE PHOTO: Reza Pahlavi, the last heir apparent to the defunct throne of the Imperial State of Iran and the current head of the exiled House of Pahlavi speaks during an interview with Reuters in Washington, US, January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Reza Pahlavi, the last heir apparent to the defunct throne of the Imperial State of Iran and the current head of the exiled House of Pahlavi speaks during an interview with Reuters in Washington, US, January 3, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

The son of the deposed Shah of Iran praised on Saturday Donald Trump's announcement of the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying that the Islamic Republic is over and will enter the "dustbin of history."

Reza Pahlavi wrote on the X platform, "With his (Khamenei's) death, the Islamic Republic has effectively come to an end and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history."

He warned against appointing a successor and called on the armed forces to participate in a political transition process.

He said that any attempt by the military, security, and police forces, to support a collapsing regime is “doomed to failure."

Pahlavi called on Iranians to "remain vigilant" at this time, adding, "The time for a massive and decisive presence in the streets is near."

He continued, "Together, united and steadfast, we will achieve final victory, and we will celebrate Iran's freedom across our homeland."

Pahlavi wrote an article in The Washington Post thanking Trump for the attack, and reiterated that he is ready to lead a transition to a new Iran.

He clarified that this role would be transitional only, following concerns from some critics that he seeks to return to an absolute monarchy.

He explained, "Many Iranians, despite risking their lives, have called on me to lead this transitional phase. I admire their courage, and I have responded to their call."

He continued, "Our path will be transparent: a new constitution drafted and ratified by referendum, followed by free elections under international supervision. And when the Iranians vote, the transitional government dissolves."

Pahlavi pointed out that all Iranian opposition figures agreed on basic principles, including the separation of religion from the state, and also agreed that opposition groups support the territorial integrity of Iran and the need to ensure "individual freedoms and equality for all citizens."



Taiwan Says China Sanctions on European Arms Makers Will Not Hit Weapons Sourcing

A Taiwan flags flutters on the roof of the headquarters of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taichung on April 21, 2026. (AFP)
A Taiwan flags flutters on the roof of the headquarters of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taichung on April 21, 2026. (AFP)
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Taiwan Says China Sanctions on European Arms Makers Will Not Hit Weapons Sourcing

A Taiwan flags flutters on the roof of the headquarters of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taichung on April 21, 2026. (AFP)
A Taiwan flags flutters on the roof of the headquarters of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taichung on April 21, 2026. (AFP)

Taiwan's defense minister downplayed on Monday the impact of Chinese sanctions on seven European companies over arms sales to the island, saying it was not the first time China had taken such action and it would not affect Taipei's ability to source weapons.

China's Commerce Ministry banned exports on Friday of dual-use items to the seven companies over arms sales to Taiwan, placing them on its export control list, in a ‌rare case of Europe-targeted, ‌Taiwan-related sanctions.

Taiwan, which China views as its own ‌territory, ⁠gets most of its ⁠weapons from the United States. Europe has not sold any big-ticket items like fighter jets to Taipei for around three decades, fearful of raising the ire of Beijing.

Taking lawmaker questions in parliament, Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo said it was not the first time China had implemented such measures.

"However, I think such an action, as I understand it, does not affect ⁠our ability to continue sourcing goods through relevant diversified ‌channels," he added, without elaborating.

While many ‌countries, especially in Europe, are nervous about any defense cooperation with Taiwan due to ‌fears of Chinese retaliation, Taipei has found an increasingly sympathetic ear in ‌parts of Central and Eastern Europe, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Four of the seven companies on the new Chinese list are Czech.

China has repeatedly sanctioned major US arms makers over sales to Taiwan, most recently in December following ‌the US announcement of an $11 billion weapons sale package to the island.

JAPAN SCRAPS ARMS EXPORTS CONTROLS

Asked whether Taiwan ⁠could start buying ⁠weapons from Japan, after Tokyo last week scrapped restrictions on overseas arms sales, Koo said the recipients of weapons exports must be countries that have signed a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with Japan, which Taiwan has not done.

When asked whether that could happen one day, Koo responded: "In the future, no possibility can be ruled out. I think I can only say that at present, no transfer agreement exists."

While countries such as the Philippines welcomed the change, China expressed deep concern.

Relations between Japan and China have been at a low ebb since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response.


Türkiye’s Erdogan Offers Support to Trump in Call After White House Dinner Shooting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye, April 24, 2026. (Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye, April 24, 2026. (Reuters)
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Türkiye’s Erdogan Offers Support to Trump in Call After White House Dinner Shooting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye, April 24, 2026. (Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye, April 24, 2026. (Reuters)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his support for US President Donald Trump in a phone call following a ‌shooting ‌at the ‌White ⁠House Correspondents' Association dinner, the ⁠Turkish presidency said late on Sunday.

"Erdogan said he saw the ⁠incident as ‌a ‌heinous act against democracy ‌and press ‌freedom," the presidency said in a statement on X.

Earlier, ‌Erdogan had condemned the incident ⁠in ⁠a separate statement on X, saying he was happy that Trump and first lady Melania Trump were unharmed.


Latest US Military Strike on Alleged Drug Boat Kills 3 in Eastern Pacific

A US strike targets a boat suspected of being used for drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific (Reuters file)
A US strike targets a boat suspected of being used for drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific (Reuters file)
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Latest US Military Strike on Alleged Drug Boat Kills 3 in Eastern Pacific

A US strike targets a boat suspected of being used for drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific (Reuters file)
A US strike targets a boat suspected of being used for drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific (Reuters file)

The latest US military strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed three people Sunday, according to a social media post by US Southern Command.

The Trump administration's campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has gone on since early September and killed at least 186 people in total. Other strikes have taken place in the Caribbean Sea.

The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.

After Sunday's attack, Southern Command posted a video on X showing a boat moving swiftly in the water before an explosion left it in flames. It repeated previous statements by saying it had targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes.

The attacks began as the US built up its largest military presence in the region in generations and came months ahead of the raid in January that captured then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.

President Donald Trump has said the US is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

Critics, meanwhile, have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes.