Who is Reza Pahlavi of Iran

Reza Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s former Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the former Crown Prince (Prince Crown). He was born in 1960. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when the Shah of Iran was overthrown, Reza Pahlavi went into exile with his family and currently resides in the United States (Washington, D.C.).

From 1941 to 1979, Iran remained under the rule of the Pahlavi family. After the revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran was established under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini. Following the death of his father in 1980, Reza Pahlavi became known as Reza Shah II, though he has never officially ruled. He is widely recognized as a symbolic figure of the Iranian monarchy.

Reza Pahlavi is strongly opposed to the Islamic Republic and advocates for freedom, human rights, secularism, and democracy in Iran. He supports a future political system for Iran that is chosen by the people through a referendum, rather than imposing monarchy by force. He says he does not want power for himself but rather supports a transitional period toward democracy.

In recent years (especially 2026), amid economic crises, inflation, and protests against the government in Iran, demonstrations have occurred where slogans in favor of “Pahlavi” have been heard. These protests indicate that some segments of society still view Reza Pahlavi as a symbol of an alternative to the current system.

However, his supporters mostly exist outside Iran, and his influence within the country remains limited. He receives backing from certain opposition groups and the Iranian diaspora, but it is still unclear how large his actual support base inside Iran truly is.

In response to Trump’s threat, Reza Pahlavi strongly criticized him. Reza Pahlavi described Trump’s threat as “extremely irresponsible.” In response to Trump’s support for protests, he stated that “the people of Iran want change, but they do not want their country to be dragged into war.” He further said that Trump’s attitude was like “Loaded and Locked.”

He added that “freedom and democracy” cannot be imposed by a foreign leader. According to Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s destiny should be decided by its own people, not by the Islamic Republic nor by foreign powers. He emphasized that Iran’s people desire power and hope, not pressure.

Regarding Trump’s “Maximum Pressure” policy, Reza Pahlavi said that its results have not been effective. He explained that increased pressure on Iran and the Iranian people only worsens economic hardship and suffering. He clarified that he does not support war and that his support is limited to public resistance.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, supporters of the former Shah of Iran have been mostly outside Iran. Reza Pahlavi currently plays the role of a media figure rather than an active leader inside Iran. At present, protests are ongoing in Iran, but it is not clear how effective these protests are against the government.

There is a significant difference between government narratives and ground realities. It is possible that protests may be exaggerated in some media statements. Reza Pahlavi himself admitted in one of his statements that President Trump’s threats have given the Iranian government an excuse to strengthen its own position.

Reza Pahlavi called on Western countries to support Iran’s leadership only when Iranian leadership is truly independent and genuinely connected to the Iranian people. He emphasized that Iranian public movements should be supported through economic, political, and diplomatic means, and that the Iranian people should be allowed to decide their future themselves and suppressing the people’s aspirations by force will only ignite further protests. Silence has not prevailed; on the contrary, according to reports, Iran has witnessed continuous demonstrations and strikes in recent times. Over the past 13 days, protests have continued in a sustained manner.

According to available information, these protests have spread to dozens of cities and involve large numbers of people. It is reported that the protest movement has expanded across 31 provinces of Iran, encompassing more than 100 cities and towns.

According to social media and information coming from Iran, many videos and reports related to these protests are circulating, indicating the scale and intensity of public unrest.

Because of his intention to become a major regional and international power, many people see Reza Pahlavi as a supporter of Israel and the Shah of Iran. If this perception is accepted, then the former Iranian crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, who is now living in America, is once again being discussed. Are there any prospects for him in the future politics of his country, and what obstacles lie in his way?

Reza Shah Pahlavi received support from American intelligence agencies and Western allies, and during the revolutionary period he tried to obtain asylum in another country. In 1980, he finally succeeded in gaining refuge in Egypt. However, because of his death, the issue of the Shah’s stay came to an end. After the Shah’s death, negotiations began to settle his family.

Some of the Shah’s friends advised him to leave Egypt, but he remained there and also sought asylum in America and Britain, though this was not granted. Reza Pahlavi was the youngest son of the Shah. At the age of 33, he left Britain on his own initiative. Later, in 2011, Reza Pahlavi’s  also ended his life by committing suicide.

After the death of sister and brother the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi was regarded as the legitimate heir to the Iranian throne. However, considering the prevailing circumstances, 65-year-old Reza appear to have a role in shaping the future politics of the country.

In a quiet suburban area near Washington, D.C regarding Reza Pahlavi, it is said that he keeps his distance from people and avoids meeting them. He is also said to keep his family out of public view, as he considers them his private matter. He supports the idea of political reform, and he has also been seen in various forums speaking in favor of freedom of expression.

In 2022, an anchor asked him a question that “In Iran, no one looks to the future. Everyone is thinking about what will happen next month. This is because inflation is rising so fast.” He replied that change should come in people themselves.

An important point

“In recent years, especially after Israel’s attacks on Iran and the killing of several senior Iranian generals, a change has appeared in their tone. After the Israeli action, during a news conference in Paris, he announced that if the government in Iran were to collapse, he would be ready to help lead an interim government. During this time, he also presented an outline of 100 plans for the government.”

“Pahlavi said that exile has increased his confidence and that he has learned a great deal. He considers this plan to be the unfinished mission of his father. While speaking to journalists in Paris, Pahlavi said that his plan is not about restoring the past, but rather about securing a democratic future for all Iranians.”

Raised with royal privileges

“The last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, did not have a male heir from his first two marriages. After that, Reza Pahlavi was born to his third wife, Farah Diba. Reza Pahlavi was born in 1960. He was raised in a royal manner and, from an early age, was seen as the crown prince. At the age of 17, he was sent to the United States to receive training as a fighter pilot. However, before he could return to his homeland, his father’s rule came to an end as a result of the revolution. After the Iranian Revolution, Reza Pahlavi has been residing in the United States. He received an education in political science. Later, he married an Iranian-American citizen named Yasmine. Reza Pahlavi has three daughters named Noor, Iman, and Farah.”

Divisible inheritance

“Supporters of the restoration of the monarchy in Iran view Reza Pahlavi as a strong candidate for the throne. Many Iranians remember the monarchy as a period of modernization and close relations with the West. However, many people are also seen criticizing that era for censorship, suppression of dissent, and violations of human rights.”

In recent years, Reza Pahlavi’s popularity in Iran has seen ups and downs. In the 1980s, he even held a symbolic coronation ceremony in exile and declared himself the new Shah, but it had no significant impact. He made several attempts to form a united opposition alliance, including the National Council of Iran for Free Elections.”

It was launched in 2013. However, it mostly faced internal disagreements and limited access inside Iran. Unlike some exiled opposition groups, Pahlavi consistently rejected violence and kept his distance from armed groups, including the Mujahedin-e Khalq. On several occasions, he called for a peaceful transfer of power and a national referendum to decide Iran’s future political system.”

Dispersed abroad

Palvi received attention in 2017 when, during protests against the government, slogans were raised regarding her grandfather: “Raza Shah, may your soul be blessed.”

In 2022, under police harassment, the death of Missa Amni emboldened the protesting crowd, after which they again gained media attention.

Her efforts to unite the fragmented opposition in Iran earned her considerable international recognition. However, she was unsuccessful in organizing it effectively.

Critics argue that Raza Pahlavi, who has been residing abroad for the past four decades, has failed to lay the foundation of any sustainable political organization.

In 2023, a controversial visit to Israel further divided opinion about him. During this visit, he not only attended a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Israel but also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Some Iranians viewed this as a pragmatic diplomatic outreach, while others saw it as an attempt to distance Iran from its Arab and Muslim alliances. Following Israeli attacks on Iran in the past year, he has had to face even more difficult and critical questions.

In an interview with the Barthaniwi news agency in Luxembourg, he was asked whether he supports Israeli attacks, which could endanger the lives of ordinary citizens. He clarified that these attacks were not aimed at ordinary Iranians.

He added that anything that weakens the Iranian government would ultimately benefit the common Iranian people. His statement sparked strong criticism and backlash.

Uncertain Future

Today, instead of presenting himself as a king, Palvi is presenting himself as a leader for national unity.

Palvi says that he wants to help guide Iran toward free elections, the rule of law, and equal rights for women. His position is that the ultimate choice between monarchy or republic should be left to the voters.

His supporters see him as a unifying figure of the opposition capable of bringing meaningful change in Iran. However, critics argue that he relies on the backing of other countries. Critics also raise questions about whether the Iranian people, who are exhausted from decades of political crises, can trust a leader living abroad.

While some see the Iranian government as viewing him as a potential threat, it is difficult for him to gain real support without a proper electoral process. Some Iranians still respect his family, but many in the republican movement are skeptical of a leader who has not lived in the country.

Palvi’s father is buried in Qom, but his supporters are hopeful that a time will come when he will return to Iran to take an active role in its future.

Will the exiled heir ever show the way? A free Iran?
This raises deep questions about a nation that continues to struggle with its past and seeks direction for its tomorrow.

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