The Iranian landscape is currently ablaze with demonstrations, and at the heart of it all is a familiar face: Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince. But who is this man, and why is he encouraging protests across Iran?
As nationwide demonstrations in Iran continue to roil the country, the government in Tehran is responding with a crackdown, acknowledging the protests while simultaneously attempting to quell them. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the clashes between protestors and government security forces have resulted in a grim toll, with the death of 116 people and the detention of over 2,600. Among the most vocal supporters of these protests is Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah of Iran, who has been consistently sending messages of encouragement to the demonstrators.
Iran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, has declared that those participating in the unrest will be considered 'enemies of God,' a charge that carries the death penalty, even for those who assist the protesters.
The current wave of protests began on December 28th, triggered by the dramatic collapse of the national currency, the rial, which is currently trading at over 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar and has lost half its value since September. International sanctions have taken a toll on the economy, and the resulting public discontent has led to direct challenges to Iran's theocracy.
In response, the government has deployed security forces and state-controlled media. State television has broadcast pro-government rallies, while government-affiliated news agencies have released surveillance footage. These agencies also reported that authorities had detained nearly 200 people, alleging they were part of 'operational terrorist teams' and possessed weapons, including firearms and explosives.
A Divisive Figure Emerges
Amid these events, Reza Pahlavi, the 65-year-old exiled Crown Prince and son of the late Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has re-emerged as a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition movements. He has used social media to urge protesters to take to the streets, encouraging them to use the country's old lion-and-sun flag and other national symbols to 'claim public spaces as your own.'
Born in Tehran in 1960, Pahlavi has lived in exile for nearly 50 years. He was appointed Iran's crown prince until his father was overthrown. The Pahlavi dynasty ended in 1979 when millions protested against the Shah. Reza Pahlavi had left for flight school in the U.S. a year earlier, and subsequently, his father fled Iran during the Islamic Revolution, which established a new theocratic government. After his father's death, a royal court in exile announced that Reza Pahlavi had inherited the monarchical role of Shah on October 31, 1980, his 20th birthday.
A Leader for a Future Iran?
But here's where it gets controversial: Pahlavi's efforts to position himself as a leader for a future Iran have sparked intense debates. While some protesters have voiced support for the Shah, it's unclear if this is support for Pahlavi himself or a yearning for the pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
His public support of Israel has drawn criticism, especially after the 12-day war launched by Israel in June 2025. He uses social media and Farsi-language news channels to amplify his calls for protests. In interviews, Pahlavi has proposed a constitutional monarchy, potentially with an elected ruler, but ultimately believes the choice rests with the Iranian people.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe Reza Pahlavi could be a unifying figure for Iran? Share your opinions in the comments below!
