Shah's son confident Iranian rulers to fall

The son of Iran's late shah said Friday he was confident that mass protests would topple the Islamic republic and urged international action, as US President Donald Trump holds off on intervening in the unrest.

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Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's ousted former Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, speaks during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

(AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE)

Reza Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the Washington area, has presented himself as leader of the opposition as the cleric-run state ruthlessly represses mass protests.

"The Islamic republic will fall -- not if, but when," Pahlavi told a news conference in Washington.

Since the demonstrations erupted in late December with a rallying cry of solving Iran's severe economic woes, Pahlavi has pleaded for US intervention.

Trump had repeatedly warned Iran that if it kills protesters, the United States would intervene militarily. He also encouraged Iranians to take over state institutions, saying "help is on the way."

But two weeks after he first suggested help, he has not acted. Security forces in the meantime have killed at least 3,428 protesters, according to Norway-based group Iran Human Rights, with other estimates putting the toll at more than 5,000 or possibly as high as 20,000.