More than 1,000 people of Iranian descent gathered on the National Mall in Washington to express support for the war in Iran and to back the return of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Waving Iranian and American flags, demonstrators chanted 'Long live the shah' and voiced hopes that the conflict would pave the way for political change in Tehran.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last monarch who was overthrown in 1979, has presented himself as a potential transitional leader following the recent killing of Iran’s supreme leader in joint strikes by Israel and the United States. Although he did not attend the rally, his wife and daughter addressed the crowd, while supporters described him as the best available option to guide the country through a transition.

Attendees expressed strong criticism of Iran’s current leadership and said they believed the war was necessary to secure freedom and democracy. While some participants stopped short of fully endorsing Pahlavi’s long-term rule, many argued that he could play a key role in an interim period leading to free elections and a new political system chosen by the Iranian people.