Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, has called on the world to back protesters in Iran with targeted strikes on the Revolutionary Guards. Speaking from his home in the United States, Pahlavi said these 'surgical' actions would help demonstrators bring down the current government. The protests, now in their third week, have seen crowds in cities like Tehran chant his name as they demand an end to the Islamic Republic.
Background
Reza Pahlavi lives in exile in the US after his father, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The shah's rule ended when Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers took power, setting up the Islamic Republic that has governed Iran since then. Pahlavi, now 65, has spent decades opposing the regime from abroad. He co-founded the Iran National Council in 2013 to push for change.
Over the years, Pahlavi has spoken out against the government many times. In 2022, after a building collapse in Abadan killed dozens, he predicted the regime's fall due to mismanagement, like shooting down a passenger plane and blocking COVID vaccines. He urged armed forces members who dislike the regime to disrupt it peacefully.
Protests have flared up in Iran before, but the current ones started about 15 days ago. They grew from anger over economic problems, corruption, and harsh crackdowns. Demonstrators want freedom and an end to religious rule. Pahlavi's name has appeared in chants across multiple cities, a sign some see him as a symbol against the regime.
In June 2025, during tensions with Israel, Pahlavi said the regime was close to collapse due to splits inside it. He called on the military and security forces to side with the people. In November 2024, he offered to guide a transition if Iranians rose up. He has advised against deals with the regime, like nuclear limits for sanctions relief.
Pahlavi says he wants a secular democracy. He supports a referendum for Iranians to choose between a republic or constitutional monarchy. He does not plan to lead long-term but would help in a short transition. Polls from recent years show about one-third of Iranians back him as a choice for a leadership council, more than any other opposition figure. Another third oppose him.
Key Details
Pahlavi has stepped up his calls recently. He appeared on US news networks urging the Trump administration to act for the protesters. Over the weekend, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met secretly with him to talk about the protests. A US official called it the first big contact since the unrest began. Pahlavi wants to position himself as a transitional leader if the regime falls.
In a recent statement, Pahlavi said he is ready to return to Iran and lead amid the protests. He claimed army defections are growing and outlined plans for change. Protesters have chanted his name in many places, which some say shows organic support.
Support and Divisions
Inside Iran, views on Pahlavi differ. Some experts say he unites nationalists tired of the regime's religious extremism. A US official noted his rising profile, with chants emerging on their own. An analyst at an Israeli think tank said while his name is common in protests, real public backing is hard to measure. Many might accept him temporarily as better than now.
Polls back some support: a November 2025 survey found 32.8% pick him first for an opposition council. But he lacks strong ties to reformists inside the Islamic system. Critics, including leftists and secular groups, distrust him due to his father's authoritarian past. They worry his US-based supporters act in a sectarian way. Some say chants are not full endorsement but a lack of options, as other leaders sit in jail.
Pahlavi keeps in touch with dissidents in Iran, where activists face jail, torture, or execution. He calls for Western countries to help the opposition build a secular democracy.
"There has been a notable rise in Pahlavi's prominence. His name is being chanted at demonstrations in numerous cities, seemingly emerging organically." – Senior US official
What This Means
Pahlavi's push for strikes targets the Revolutionary Guards, the regime's powerful force that crushes protests and runs much of the economy. He sees them as the main barrier to change. If outside powers back protesters this way, it could shift the balance. The Guards have faced sanctions before, but direct strikes would mark a big step.
The secret meeting with Trump's envoy shows US interest. The White House security team met Tuesday to discuss options, though early stages. Trump was absent. Pahlavi's role could grow if protests continue and defections spread.
For Iranians, this raises hopes and risks. Bigger international support might encourage more to join streets or defect. But it could also lead to harsher crackdowns. Pahlavi's exile status lets him speak freely, but returning would test his pull. Opposition groups met in Munich in February to coordinate for elections after collapse.
Protests link to wider issues: food prices, deaths from poor policies, and regime infighting. Pahlavi frames it as a people's movement he amplifies, not directs. His backers see a path to ally with the West and Israel. Critics fear old monarchy ties.
The coming days will show if chants turn to real power. Military response and world reaction will shape the outcome. Pahlavi waits ready, as streets fill with calls for change.
