Iran’s exiled crown prince urges UK to back US military action ‘to stop the killing’
Iran’s exiled crown prince has pleaded for Britain to support US military intervention after reports that Sir Keir Starmer is blocking Donald Trump from using UK bases for any attack.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, told Metro the Iranian people wanted military action as the United States amassed a huge naval and air force in the Middle East.
Sir Keir has reportedly refused to allow American planes UK bases at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to hit Iran.
Pahlavi also called on the British Government to proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation amid a state crackdown on protestors.
The opposition leader, 65, has become the face of nationwide demonstrations against the clerical regime inside Iran, with thousands of people chanting his name and waving the flag of his father.
He has long urged the US President to make good on his promise that ‘help is on its way’ while the US builds up its a huge ‘armada’ of military assets in the region in case nuclear talks fail to find an agreement.
But Trump has reportedly been frustrated by the UK’s refusal to grant permission for their US aircraft to take off from British bases, according to The Times.
Reacting to The Times’ story, Pahlavi told Metro: ‘The people of Iran want the US to militarily act.
‘This humanitarian intervention would save lives. I urge the UK government to support the US action.’
The crown prince, who now lives in the US after fleeing his homeland during the Iranian Revolution in 1979, also claimed that the Iranian regime killed as many as 40,000 protesters during the nationwide unrest last month.
He added: ‘The killing has not stopped. Protests continue and they are expanding.’
The US-based organisation HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) has verified more than 6,000 deaths, with another 17,000 recorded deaths under investigation.
In recent weeks, tensions between the US and Iran’s Ayatollahs have continued to deteriorate during contentious nuclear talks.
Trump has continued to threaten military action to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The two sides are due to hold more talks in Geneva this week, but the US president said during his State of the Union address last night that they hadn’t ‘heard those secret words: “We will never have a nuclear weapon”.’
However, US officials were discussing the possibility of successful talks last July when Trump ordered strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has backed Pahlavi’s intervention, urging the UK to grant the US access to the bases in the case of American military strikes.
He told Metro: ‘While speculative, if the US judges that further action is needed to deal with that specific threat, and if again we believe such action is in our national interest and to protect vital UK security interests, then we should grant the use of our bases if and where required, including RAF bases in the UK, and Diego Garcia.’
The South Suffolk MP added: ‘Iran’s nuclear programme has been a grave threat to Britain and our allies. That is why the Conservatives supported the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last summer. Iran must never obtain a nuclear bomb.’
Leading anti-regime activists in the UK have celebrated Pahlavi’s call for action.
Ellie Borhan, founder of the Stage of Freedom activist group, told Metro: ‘Surely it is time to take action against the regime enabling and committing atrocities as well.
‘The Islamic Republic is not only a threat to the Iranian people, but also to regional stability and the safety of the UK and British citizens.
‘This is the moment for democratic nations to stand on the right side of history and support the Iranian people in their fight for freedom.’
Trump has previously referred to the role the UK might play in a Truth Social post, writing that ‘it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime’.
A government spokesperson said they do not comment on operational matters.
Speaking to Metro, Pahlavi also urged the British government to ‘proscribe the IRGC and seize the assets of Regime elites moving their money to London.’
Sir Keir has so far refused to proscribe the IRGC, which would make it illegal to support the group in the UK, despite the fact the European Union has added it to their terrorist list.
There have also been numerous reports linking the elites close to Ayotollah Ali Khamenei with London.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the supreme leader, reportedly owns luxury mansions in Britain worth more than £100 million.
Iranian businessman Ali Ansari, sanctioned by the UK for allegedly bankrolling the IRGC, has also amassed a £142 million property portfolio across London, the Times has reported.
Downing Street has always emphasised the sanctions they have placed against the IRGC, using asset freezes, travel bans and director bans.
This has included more than 500 Iranian individuals and entities connected with the Regime.
In July 2025, the UK joined 13 other countries in condemning Iranian intelligence activities
Addressing Pahlavi’s comments on UK support for US military action, a Government spokesperson said: ‘As routine, we do not comment on operational matters.
‘There is a political process ongoing between the US and Iran, which the UK supports. Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and our priority is security in the region.’
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