Imagine a nation in turmoil, its streets filled with protesters demanding change, while a controversial figure from its past re-emerges to rally the crowds. This is the story of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, whose calls for action are both inspiring and divisive. But who is this man, and why is he suddenly at the center of Iran’s latest wave of unrest? Let’s dive in.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, recently addressed the world from Paris, his voice echoing across borders as Iran faces its most significant protests in years. As the Islamic Republic grapples with nearly two weeks of nationwide demonstrations, the government’s response has been a mix of acknowledgment and brutal suppression. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), clashes between protesters and security forces have left at least 116 dead and over 2,600 detained. And this is where it gets even more intense: Pahlavi has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of these protests, urging Iranians to take to the streets and reclaim their nation.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, has labeled protest participants as ‘enemies of God,’ a charge punishable by death. Even those accused of aiding protesters face the same grim fate. The protests, which began on December 28, were sparked by the collapse of the Iranian rial, now trading at over 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar—a staggering loss of half its value since September. International sanctions have crippled the economy, fueling public anger and direct challenges to Iran’s theocratic rule.
In response, the government has deployed security forces and state-controlled media in full force. While pro-government rallies dominate state television, surveillance footage released by the Fars news agency paints a different picture, showing protesters allegedly attacking government compounds with firearms and gasoline bombs. Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guard, claims authorities have detained nearly 200 individuals labeled as ‘terrorists,’ armed with weapons ranging from firearms to grenades.
Enter Reza Pahlavi, a figure both revered and reviled. At 65, the exiled Crown Prince has become a polarizing leader for various Iranian opposition movements. Through social media, he urged protesters to flood the streets, waving the old lion-and-sun flag—a symbol of his father’s era—and reclaim public spaces. But Pahlavi’s history is complex. Born in Tehran in 1960, he was crowned prince until his father’s overthrow in 1979, during the Islamic Revolution. The Pahlavi dynasty, which had ruled Iran since the 1920s, was toppled by a coalition of secular leftists, labor unions, students, and Muslim clergy, all united against the Shah’s authoritarian rule and economic inequality. Reza Pahlavi, then training at a U.S. air base in Texas, watched from afar as his father fled Iran and the Shiite clerics established a theocratic government. In 1980, a royal court in exile declared him the new Shah on his 20th birthday.
But is he the leader Iran needs today? Pahlavi’s attempts to position himself as a future leader have sparked heated debates. While some protesters chant in support of the Shah, it’s unclear whether they back Pahlavi personally or simply long for the pre-1979 era. His public support for Israel, particularly after the 2025 war, has drawn sharp criticism from Iranians and opposition groups alike. Yet, through social media and Farsi-language channels like Iran International, he continues to amplify his calls for change. In interviews, Pahlavi has floated the idea of a constitutional monarchy, possibly with an elected ruler, but insists the decision ultimately lies with the Iranian people.
And this is the part most people miss: Pahlavi’s legacy is deeply intertwined with Iran’s painful history. His father’s regime, backed by British interests, was notorious for economic disparities and the brutal tactics of the Savak intelligence agency. Yet, for some, the Pahlavi era represents a time before theocracy, a symbol of hope for a secular future. What do you think? Is Reza Pahlavi a beacon of change or a relic of a troubled past? Share your thoughts below—this is a conversation Iran, and the world, needs to have.
