Trump-grateful and pro-monarchy: Who is Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran?

 Trump-grateful and pro-monarchy: Who is Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran?

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch, has appealed to people across the country to take to the streets to intensify ongoing protests against inflation in Iran.

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the deposed Iranian emperor after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said in a message on social media that the ongoing protests in Iran are “unprecedented.”

He said that there have been reports that the government is deeply afraid of the protests and is once again trying to shut down the internet to stop the protests.

In a statement, he said, “I thank President Trump for reiterating his commitment to holding the Iranian government accountable.”

Addressing leaders of Western countries, Reza Pahlavi said, “Now is the time for European leaders to break their silence and come out openly in support of the Iranian people.” I appeal to all world leaders to use the available technical, financial and diplomatic resources to reconnect with the Iranian people, to listen to their voices and to see their aspirations fulfilled. Do not let the voices of my brave compatriots be silenced.’

A turning point

His tone has changed in recent years, especially after Israel’s attack on Iran last year and the killing of several senior Iranian generals.

After the Israeli attacks, he announced at a news conference in Paris that he was ready to help lead an interim government if the government in Iran were to fall.

He also outlined a 100-day plan for the interim government. Pahlavi said that exile had increased his confidence and that he had learned a lot. He described his plan as his father’s “unfinished mission.”

Talking to reporters in Paris, Pahlavi said that “his plan is not about restoring the past, but about securing a democratic future for all Iranians.”

Royal upbringing

Born in 1960, Reza Pahlavi was raised in a royal style and was seen as a crown prince from the start.

At the age of 17, he was sent to the United States to train as a fighter pilot. But before he could return home, his father's rule ended in a revolution. Reza Pahlavi has lived in the United States since the Iranian Revolution, where he studied political science. He later married Yasmine, an Iranian-American. Reza Pahlavi has three daughters, Noor, Iman, and Farah.

A divisive legacy

Supporters of the restoration of the monarchy in Iran see Reza Pahlavi as a powerful candidate for the monarchy.

Many Iranians remember the monarchy as a symbol of modernity and close ties to the West. But many also complain about censorship, the suppression of dissent, and human rights abuses during this period.

Reza Pahlavi's popularity in Iran has fluctuated in recent years. In 1980, he held a symbolic coronation ceremony in Cairo and declared himself the new king, but it had little effect.

He made several attempts to form an opposition coalition, including the National Council for Free Elections of Iran, which was launched in 2013. Most have faced internal divisions and limited access inside Iran.

Unlike some exiled opposition groups, Pahlavi consistently rejected violence and distanced himself from armed factions, including the People's Mujahedin. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful transfer of power and a national referendum to decide Iran's future political system.

Uncertain future

Today, Pahlavi is presenting himself as a leader for national reconciliation rather than a monarch.

He says he wants to help guide Iran toward free elections, the rule of law and equal rights for women.

He has said that the final decision on whether to restore the monarchy or democracy must be left to voters.

His supporters see him as the only opposition figure seeking peaceful change in Iran. But his critics say he has the backing of other countries.

Critics also question whether Iranian citizens, weary of decades of political crisis, are ready to trust an exiled leader.

Although the Iranian government sees him as a threat, it is difficult to determine his support without a credible election.

Some Iranians still respect the family, but many fear an unelected ruler under the guise of Iranian democracy.

Pahlavi's father is buried in Cairo, but his supporters await the day when he will be transferred to Iran.

Will the exiled crown prince ever see the day... a free Iran? It raises countless questions about a nation still grappling with its past.