Iranian leaders clash over policy: Khamenei backs Hezbollah, Prince Reza Pahlavi condemns the regime

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a formal response to Hezbollah fighters, declaring the defense of Hezbollah Lebanon a strategic policy of the Islamic Republic. In the letter he praised the group’s resistance, said Iran’s goal is to preserve Lebanon’s territory and reject Israeli aggression, and framed the alliance as a source of inspiration for “free peoples” worldwide.

In a separate social‑media message, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi accused the Islamic Republic of imposing a war on Iran, labeling the regime’s propaganda a “massive lie machine.” He called for “real nationalism,” urging Iranians to stand with the people against a government he says has caused decades of poverty, corruption and oppression, and urged the dismantling of the current regime.