Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has made an urgent appeal to the US President Donald Trump to intervene as mass protests take over the Islamic Republic.“Mr President, this is an urgent and immediate call for your attention, support and action,” Pahlavi wrote on social media. “Please be prepared to intervene to help the Iranian people.”The call came as protests escalated in Tehran and other cities. Originally due to the collapse of Iran’s economy, they now represent one of the biggest challenges to the Islamic Republic in years. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to the Dictator” and in some cases praised the former monarchy – a remarkable shift in a country where such support was previously punishable by death.The Iranian leadership responded with threats of violence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting to “pleasing the President of the United States” and dismissed Trump, saying his hands were “stained with the blood of Iranians.” Iran’s judiciary chief warned that punishment would be “decisive, maximum and without any legal leniency” as state media labeled protesters “terrorists.”At least 62 people were killed and more than 2,300 arrested, human rights groups said. The reason for this is a widespread internet blackout, which activists say is being used to cover up violent crackdowns.Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against killing peaceful protesters, saying Iran would “pay hell” if it did. The warning has gained weight after U.S. forces seized a fifth sanctioned oil tanker this week as part of a broader effort to control Venezuelan exports after Maduro’s ouster – an operation that has fueled speculation about whether Washington could apply similar pressure elsewhere.Pahlavi, who has lived in exile for almost five decades, insists the blackout is being used to “murder these young heroes.” Still, it remains unclear how much real support he enjoys in Iran or whether protesters support a return of the monarchy – or simply demand an end to clerical rule.Pahlavi’s call for intervention comes days after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a night operation in Caracas.
