For many years, Reza Pahlavi was the well mannered face of the Iranian opposition in exile – a former fighter pilot who spoke of nonviolent resistance and secular democracy from his dwelling in the USA.
However this weekend, the tone of the 65-year-old inheritor to the Peacock Throne and son of Iran’s final shah modified dramatically.
In a direct problem to the Iranian authorities, Pahlavi referred to as on Iranians to “seize metropolis centres” and put together for his imminent return, prompting what Iranian state media described as “armed terrorist assaults” throughout the nation.
“Our objective is now not merely to return into the streets,” Pahlavi declared in a assertion launched on his X account. “The objective is to organize to grab metropolis centres and maintain them.”
From inheritor to exile
Born in Tehran on October 31, 1960, Pahlavi was formally named crown prince on the age of seven. His path appeared destined for the throne till the 1979 revolution upended the area.
At 17, he left Iran for fighter pilot coaching within the US at Reese Air Pressure Base in Texas. Whereas he was away, the monarchy collapsed, and the present political system was established, barring his return.
Pahlavi accomplished his coaching and later earned a level in political science from the College of Southern California. Through the Iran-Iraq Conflict within the Eighties, he famously volunteered to function a fighter pilot for his nation however was rejected by the authorities in Tehran.
He has lived in exile ever since, residing within the US together with his spouse, Yasmine Pahlavi, and their three daughters.
‘Making ready to return’
For greater than 40 years, Pahlavi advocated for a referendum and nonviolent change. Nevertheless, his rhetoric has sharpened considerably in current days.
On Saturday, he urged staff in key sectors — transport, oil, and gasoline — to launch nationwide strikes to “minimize off the monetary lifelines” of the state. He particularly referred to as on the “youth of the Immortal Guard” — the erstwhile imperial forces — and safety forces to defect.
“I, too, am getting ready to return to the homeland in order that on the time of our nationwide revolution’s victory, I could be beside you,” he acknowledged.
His name to motion comes amid stories of the most important antigovernment protests in years. Pahlavi requested supporters to hoist the pre-1979 “Lion and Solar” flag, a logo of his father’s rule, and to occupy public areas ranging from 6pm native time (14:30 GMT).
‘Terrorist’ accusations
The response from Tehran has been livid. On Sunday, state-affiliated media retailers labelled the protests as a “new section of insecurity” and an “inside armed struggle”.
A report by the conservative Vatan-e Emrooz newspaper, cited by the Tasnim information company, described Pahlavi’s name as cowl for “terrorist nuclei” to assault police and Basij forces.
“Don’t be mistaken; this isn’t merely a riot … these had been armed terrorist assaults,” the report acknowledged, claiming that dozens of safety personnel had been killed.
Officers have linked Pahlavi’s escalation to international interference, particularly accusing the US and Israel. They claimed the unrest is a “Plan B” by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the conclusion of the 12-day struggle between Israel and Iran in Could final yr.
‘Opposition in opposition to the opposition’?
Whereas Pahlavi has discovered renewed reputation on the streets, he faces sharp criticism from throughout the fractured Iranian opposition.
Alireza Nader, an Iran knowledgeable, argued in a current article that Pahlavi’s political actions have turn into divisive. Critics accuse his circle of attacking different distinguished dissidents, equivalent to Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, labelling them “leftists” or “terrorists”.
“Pahlavi has doubled down on his advisors regardless of others’ unease about them,” Nader wrote, questioning whether or not the prince has turn into “the opposition in opposition to the opposition”.
There are additionally issues about manipulation. Nader famous that Pahlavi’s on-line help is partly pushed by cyber-armies linked to the Iranian authorities, designed to sow discord, elevating questions on “who’s co-opting whom”.
Regardless of these inside rifts, Pahlavi stays probably the most seen figurehead for the present wave of unrest. With the Trump administration sustaining a hands-off strategy — asserting it’s “as much as Iranians to decide on their very own leaders” — and the streets of Tehran burning, the exiled prince seems to be making his ultimate gamble for the throne he misplaced 47 years in the past.
