"My compatriots," Pahlavi began, "On the eve of Charshanbeh Suri, the anti-Iranian regime of the Islamic Republic is once again attempting to prevent this ancient national ritual."
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi posted a message to his fellow Iranians on X/Twitter on Sunday in honor of Charshanbeh Suri, an ancient Persian holiday discouraged by the current regime.
"My compatriots," Pahlavi began, "On the eve of Charshanbeh Suri, the anti-Iranian regime of the Islamic Republic is once again attempting to prevent this ancient national ritual. But this year, we will mark Charshanbeh Suri with solemn national pride in memory of the brave souls who have sacrificed their lives to reclaim Iran and our national identity."
Pahlavi called for mass gatherings worldwide in front of Iranian embassies, telling his followers to "shout with one voice: the Iranian nation will not rest until Iran is liberated and the Islamic Republic is consigned to history."
He also urged US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "closely monitor" events occurring on Charshanbeh Suri, so as to prevent the Iranian regime from reacting with violence against protesters.
"Our message is clear," Pahlavi said, "Our fire, the symbol of Iran’s light and purity, will triumph over the darkness of this un-Iranian regime and cleanse the soil of our homeland from its criminal occupiers."
Chaharshanbe Suri celebration turns to rejection of Iranian regime
Last year, during the fire festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, young Iranians turned a traditional celebration into a political statement. Fires burned across the country as young men and women jumped over the flames, chanting, “Reza Shah, rohat shad!” in praise of the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, who had previously sidelined the clerical class that now dominates Iran.
Many of the participants were unveiled women, openly defying the regime’s strict hijab laws.
For Iran’s ruling mullahs, festivals such as Chaharshanbe Suri have always been complicated, as their ancient Persian roots stand in conflict with the Islamic Republic’s stance to define the country’s religion primarily through revolutionary Shi’ite ideology.
Alex Winston contributed to this report.
