Farah Pahlavi has described the death of Ali Khamenei as historically significant but cautioned that it would not automatically dismantle Iran’s political system. Speaking to AFP on Tuesday, March 3, the former empress said that while Khamenei had been central to the architecture of power within the Islamic republic, the passing of a single individual does not necessarily signal the collapse of an entrenched system.

Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in Paris since the 1979 revolution that toppled the monarchy, emphasized that the decisive factor would be the ability of the Iranian people to unite around a peaceful, orderly and sovereign transition grounded in the rule of law. She added that her son, Reza Pahlavi, is preparing for such a possibility, positioning himself as a potential alternative should the current structure falter.

Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s last shah, echoed the call for unity as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East. Addressing the nation’s diverse ethnic minorities in a message posted on X, he sought to reassure communities that they would not face discrimination under his leadership. He also appeared to caution against attempts to exploit regional instability to advance separatist agendas.

“We stand at the threshold of this regime’s fall,” he said, urging vigilance and preparedness while warning against opportunistic forces seeking to take advantage of the moment. He stressed that Iran’s minorities are an inseparable part of the country’s historical and cultural fabric and expressed confidence that national unity and shared resolve could secure a brighter future for all Iranians.