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."



Israel Military Says It Has Destroyed Half of Iran's Missile Stockpiles

 A video grab image taken from footage released by the Israeli military on March 1, 2026, shows what it says are large-scale strikes on "the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran on March 1. (Photo by Handout / Israeli Army / AFP)
A video grab image taken from footage released by the Israeli military on March 1, 2026, shows what it says are large-scale strikes on "the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran on March 1. (Photo by Handout / Israeli Army / AFP)
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Israel Military Says It Has Destroyed Half of Iran's Missile Stockpiles

 A video grab image taken from footage released by the Israeli military on March 1, 2026, shows what it says are large-scale strikes on "the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran on March 1. (Photo by Handout / Israeli Army / AFP)
A video grab image taken from footage released by the Israeli military on March 1, 2026, shows what it says are large-scale strikes on "the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran on March 1. (Photo by Handout / Israeli Army / AFP)

The Israeli military on Sunday said it had destroyed roughly half of Iran's missile stockpiles in the previous war in June 2025, adding the Iranian republic had been producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles each month.

"During the operation (in June 2025), we destroyed approximately half of the Iranian regime's missile stockpiles and prevented the production of at least 1,500 additional missiles," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a televised statement.

"The regime had recently been producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles per month and intended to increase production to hundreds per month."


North Korea Condemns US-Israel Attacks on Iran as ‘Illegal’

Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attack in Iran, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attack in Iran, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
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North Korea Condemns US-Israel Attacks on Iran as ‘Illegal’

Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attack in Iran, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attack in Iran, 01 March 2026. (EPA)

North Korea condemned on Sunday the ongoing United States and Israeli attack on Iran as an "illegal act of aggression", claiming it had shown Washington's "gangster-like" nature.

The military campaigns against Iran by the two states "constitute a thoroughly illegal act of aggression and the most vile form of violation of sovereignty in their nature", a spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Pyongyang said the military actions showed the "shameless and gangster-like conduct" of the two allies, who it said had chosen to "abuse military force to fulfil their selfish and hegemonic ambitions".

North Korea and the United States are longtime adversaries but Washington has mounted a push to revive high-level talks with Pyongyang in recent months, eyeing a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and the North's Kim Jong Un this year.

After largely ignoring those overtures for months, Kim said this week that the two nations could "get along" if Washington accepted Pyongyang's nuclear status.


EU Says Khamenei’s Killing Brings Both Hope and Peril

 EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives for the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives for the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
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EU Says Khamenei’s Killing Brings Both Hope and Peril

 EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives for the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives for the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on February 23, 2026. (AFP)

Top EU officials said Sunday the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes could spell "hope" for the country -- but carried a serious risk of regional instability. 

European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas described Khamenei's death as "a defining moment in Iran's history", while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it spurred "renewed hope for the people of Iran". 

"At the same time, this moment carries a real risk of instability that could push the region into a spiral of violence," von der Leyen added. 

Von der Leyen said Brussels was engaging closely "with all key actors" to safeguard stability and security and to protect civilian lives. 

"With Khamenei gone, there is renewed hope for the people of Iran. We must ensure that the future is theirs to claim and shape," she wrote on social media, after a call with Jordan's King Abdullah II. 

Likewise, Kallas said she was in contact with regional partners "that bear the brunt of Iran's military actions" to find practical steps for de-escalation. 

"The death of Ali Khamenei is a defining moment in Iran's history. What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape," Kallas wrote on X.