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
TT

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."



North Korea Says it Tested Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

North Korea Says it Tested Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)

North Korea said it had tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday to verify navy mission capabilities and reliability of war deterrents, state media ‌reported on Thursday.

Senior ‌military officers ‌observed the ⁠tests conducted in ⁠the sea off the North's east coast, KCNA said. It gave no further details of the missiles or the launch ⁠other than the test ‌had ‌no adverse impact on the security ‌of neighboring countries.

North Korea ‌has pushed ahead with modern missile submarines and both ballistic and cruise missile developments, test-launching them ‌from various platforms including an ageing submarine.

It is ⁠not ⁠yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation. This is a top military priority of the country's leader Kim Jong Un, who has overseen the development of a range of strategic ballistic and cruise missiles.


Container Ship Sinks Near Hormuz after Being Hit by Projectile

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
TT

Container Ship Sinks Near Hormuz after Being Hit by Projectile

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

A container ship has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, while a separate dry bulk carrier damaged in an earlier attack is also reported to be sinking, maritime security sources said on Wednesday.

The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride container ship, with a small 2,824 TEU (20-ft equivalent unit) capacity, had sunk, the sources said.

"Commercial vessel 'GFS PRIDE' reported sunk with floating containers ... mariners cautioned," the Hydrographer of Pakistan said in a navigational warning to ships dated October 14.

The loss of the GFS Pride marks the second vessel to sink since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to data from UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization.

Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao was reported to be sinking close to the strait after being struck by a projectile on September 23, the sources added.

"The Antigua & Barbuda flagged bulk carrier CAPE DAO, originally hit on the 23 September, is reported to be sinking after an unsuccessful rescue attempt," British maritime risk management group Vanguard said in a note on Wednesday.


Iran Says Cargo Ship Sank after Hitting Naval Mine

The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Iran Says Cargo Ship Sank after Hitting Naval Mine

The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

A cargo ship has sunk after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said. It was the first time Iran has reported a ship sinking after hitting a mine during the war.

There were few details, including about the fate of the crew. State TV quoted a Guard statement as saying that the ship was traveling on what it called an illegal and dangerous route when it hit the mine Wednesday morning.

It said the ship was carrying 2,500 containers when it first caught fire.

Iran has repeatedly warned ships against trying to transit the strait without its approval.

The US military has been guiding ships through the strait on a route off Oman on the far side.

There was no immediate verification of the sinking and no report by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor.