TEHRAN – Crown Prince Abdullah al-Hashem, eldest son of the late King Ghazi II al-Hashem of Iraq officially took his vows and declared himself King of Iraq in a grand coronation ceremony from exile in Tehran.

The announcement was broadcasted live from Iranian state TV and news media channels in a grand coronation from the Hashemite family's current residence in Tehran. The newly crowned King also announced the creation of a government in exile from his new base in Tehran. The King of Kings, Ardeshir Shah Afshar, was not present during the coronation ceremony, but his cousin Princess Shahrzad Afshar, who is married to Iraqi Prince Ali al-Hashem, the youngest brother of King Abdullah. Although his Imperial Majesty the Shah was not present during the King's coronation ceremony, he did send an official congratulations letter to the Hashemite monarch as head of the House of Afshar.

Following the coronation, the newly crowned King Abdullah al-Hashem was quick to announce the formation of a Hashemite government in exile from Tehran, vowing to continue the fight for Iraq's freedom from the "illegitimate usurpers" and never give up the resistance for the resoration of the monarchy in Iraq.

The King also thanked the Afsharid Royal Family for their hospitality, stating the following in his message:

"In the name of God, the Almighty and Merciful. I would like to start off by thanking our dear friends, the Afsharids of Iran, for being such hospitable hosts since our arrival in Tehran. They have treated us as one of our own, and treated us with the utmost respect and hospitality. It is an honor to be related to the Royal House of Afshar."

King Abdullah also urged his followers to remain resilient in the face of oppression, and vowed that the Hashemites will retake their rightful place as the rulers of Islahh with the help of God Almighty. He furthermore called on Iraqi Monarchists to boycott the upcoming illegimate elections in Iraq, stating that they would be rigged.

"Iraq has seen nothing but bloodshed and turmoil since the days the usurpers took power. I would like to give my most sincere condolences to the brave men and women who have been fighting against terrorist forces, and those brave military personnel and patriots in Iraq who would rather die than to see the country in the hands of terrorists. You have suffered a lot since the coup. But do not lose hope, my people, do not give up.

I vow, as the heir to the Hashemite throne, that I will do everything in my power to reclaim my rightful place as ruler of Iraq and restore the country to its former glory. Iraq has seen tougher days, and with the help of God, we will emerge victorious from these tough times as well, just as we have in the past. Just as Raghad was sent to Hell alongside her father, so too shall the rest of the traitors! I urge all citizens to boycott the upcoming elections, to show the usurpers that their rule is illegimate, and that their government is not recognized by the people. The Iraqi people control their own fate, and I am willing to be by them and support them in whatever way I can." stated the King.

King Abdullah's announcement of the fomation of a government in exile made up of former Hashemite loyalists is sure to send shockwaves into Iraq, and it is suspected that many monarchists, who are afraid to express their loyalty due to the brutality of the new regime, are sure to be emboldened by this move. The King also announced the founding of a new Hashemite political Arabic language TV station that will serve as the voice of the government in exile. The satellite channel will be broadcasted 24/7 into Iraq and is called Al-Hashemiyya TV.