Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi made an urgent public appeal to former US President Donald Trump in early January 2026, requesting his attention, support, and action to aid Iranian protesters. Pahlavi claimed that millions of Iranians were in the streets confronting live bullets and a total communications blackout imposed by the Iranian regime. He argued that firm political action and support from the US could save lives and accelerate regime change, emphasizing that Iranians did not need foreign military intervention. This call came as Iran faced one of its gravest crises since 1979, with nationwide protests intensifying following an economic crisis and currency collapse that began in late December. Rights groups reported hundreds of deaths and over ten thousand arrests amidst the security crackdown. Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah, has emerged as a prominent opposition voice, urging demonstrators to escalate their movement by seizing city centers and launching nationwide strikes. The protests, which included chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calls for the return of the Pahlavi dynasty, have drawn sharp international reactions, with Trump issuing warnings to Iran's leadership against using deadly force. The situation remains volatile as the international community closely monitors the ongoing unrest and the Iranian government's response.