Exiled Crown Prince slams Khamenei funeral as ‘propaganda spectacle ,’ says Iran slain protesters

As foreign dignitaries gather in Tehran for the week-long funeral of Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the exiled former crown prince has delivered a sharp rebuke, calling the ceremonies a "propaganda spectacle" and insisting that the Iranian people do not mourn the "deceased dictator."

As foreign dignitaries gather in Tehran for the week-long funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the exiled former crown prince has delivered a sharp rebuke, calling the ceremonies a “propaganda spectacle” and insisting that the Iranian people do not mourn the “deceased dictator.” Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah, addressed foreign representatives in Tehran via a post on X, stating that the nation’s grief is not for Khamenei but for the over 40,000 citizens killed in the violent suppression of protests.

“Iran is mourning more than 40,000 sons and daughters slaughtered on January 8 and 9 by Khamenei, Ghalibaf, and their machinery of repression,” Pahlavi wrote . He accused the regime of squandering vast amounts of public wealth to stage what he called a “propaganda spectacle,” pointing out that no democratic leaders are in attendance.

“What you see today is not a nation in grief for its ruler. It is a nation filled with righteous anger, and that anger and heroic bravery will bring down what remains of this criminal regime,” he added .

Pahlavi’s statement coincided with the launch of a “Global Week of Action for a Free Iran,” timed to coincide with Khamenei’s funeral processions . The exiled prince has called on Iranians worldwide to demonstrate against the regime, urging the military and security forces to abandon the government and support a transition to democracy.

The funeral ceremonies, which began on Friday, have drawn delegations from approximately 100 countries, including Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and China, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif among those paying respects .