by Sharon Rondeau
(Jan. 12, 2026) — At 9:05 p.m. on “Hannity,” exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told host Sean Hannity that in his home country, where political and economic upheaval has burgeoned over the last two weeks against its tyrannical theocratic government, “the level of massacre has been unbelievable.”
As of Sunday, many sources reported 500+ protester deaths at the hands of the Iranian regime. As of Monday morning, however, the death toll was said to have possibly reached 2,000, a figure Hannity echoed in his interview with the displaced heir to the former Iranian monarchy.
Pahlavi’s father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, led the country from 1941 until he was deposed by the regime’s first “supreme leader,” Ali Khomeini, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Khomeini ruled with an iron fist until his death in 1989, at which time Ayatollah Ali Khameni assumed power, later developing a nuclear program in the face of international sanctions, seeking Israel’s demise and providing material support for various Islamic terrorist groups.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. Monday, Grok AI summarized events in Iran with:
Reza Pahlavi Calls for New Phase in Iran Protests as Crackdown Intensifies
Last updated 12 hours ago
Protests erupted in late December 2025 over currency collapse and 60-70% food inflation, now entering a third week with chants against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei filling cities like Tehran and Shiraz despite an internet blackout since January 8. Pahlavi urged demonstrators to press security forces to defect, declared Iran’s freedom near, and claimed international support is coming as the regime struggles with manpower shortages. Rights groups report at least 500 protester deaths—possibly 2,000—and over 10,000 arrests, while the regime plans mass executions including 26-year-old Erfan Soltani on January 14; U.S. President Trump warned of strong options and eyed Starlink aid.
This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.
Pahlavi said the protesters, even those injured during the demonstrations, are encouraged as a result of President Donald Trump’s pledged support. Pahlavi himself has urged the protesters to continue demonstrating while safeguarding themselves as best they can.
He said an instance of a young woman seriously injured in the face by government forces insisted on returning to the streets to carry our her resolve against the regime.
Trump is reportedly planning to meet with military leaders on Tuesday to discuss options in response to the regime’s crackdown on its populace, a move he warned them not to take more than a week ago. However, earlier Monday, Trump appeared to take an economic approach to deterrence, writing on Truth Social:
Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
Pahlavi told Hannity he has been told the regime is faltering unequivocally. “We have intelligence reports…that despite the regime [sic] hard crackdown, many have failed to show up for work…,” he said, referring to government employees. Those individuals, he said, through their absences, are refusing to “crack down” on their fellow countrymen, a phenomenon Pahlavi said signifies the “end” of the theocratic regime.
“The snake’s head” must be “cut off,” he said emphatically, while maintaining that American “boots on the ground” are not necessary.
Unlike the regime, he said, Iranians bear no ill will for Israel or its people.
“We will deliver,” he said, and show “that we’re not doing this just to free ourselves,” Pahlavi said.
Shortly before his appearance on the show, Pahlavi posted on X:
My compatriots, greetings to all of you who, like Kaveh, stand against Zahhak and fight.
The regime, through severe repression, killing, and cutting off communications, is trying to instill fear and terror in you, and to make you despair of continuing the movement and struggle. But know that because of your steadfastness and fight, thousands of military and security forces have not gone to work so as not to participate in the repression.
And a special message to specialists in the field of internet and communications: target the regime’s information infrastructure so that the connection of our compatriots with the world can be reestablished.
On Sunday Trump confirmed to reporters the regime contacted him in an attempt to “negotiate.”
Late Monday morning, he complimented Trump on his expressed support for the protesters and his intent to punish the Iranian regime for its retaliation, writing:
…President Trump is not Obama. His words of support for the protesters in Iran show that. Now is the time to act. The President is a man of action and a man of peace. Now, he can act to bring about the greatest peace the world has ever seen: by helping Iranians finally end this criminal regime.
The regime is weak and on its back legs. The people are ready to topple it. They do not need boots on the ground. All they need is the action of the leader of the free world. Negotiating with this criminal regime who is still threatening America and the President will not bring peace. But immediate action to support these brave protesters will save thousands of lives and bring lasting peace to the region.
That will be President Trump’s legacy.