In recent years, the figure of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, has resurfaced as a purported leader of the Iranian opposition. With articles in prestigious publications like *Politico* offering him a platform, the media has presented him as a voice for change in Iran. However, this portrayal of Reza Pahlavi as an alternative leader is not only misleading but deeply insulting to millions of Iranians who have sacrificed their lives for democracy and human rights.
A Dynasty Built on Corruption and Brutality
The Pahlavi family legacy is far from one of benevolence or progress. Mohammadreza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran, came to power through a military coup in 1956 against Dr. Mosaddegh, the only democratic government in Iran’s history. His reign, marked by heavy-handed policies of modernization and centralization, was enforced through brutality and suppression. The Shah’s reign was characterized by a strong reliance on secret police forces, the notorious SAVAK (Organization of Intelligence and National Security), to monitor, intimidate, and eliminate political opponents. Political dissidents, intellectuals, journalists, activists, and students who dared to challenge the regime faced persecution, torture, and often death. Pahlavi’s authoritarian policies set the stage for an environment where freedom of speech was stifled, dissent was criminalized, and any opposition to the monarchy was met with violent repression.
Reza Pahlavi: A Figurehead for Corruption
In reality, Reza Pahlavi has shown little ability to connect with the majority of Iranians, especially the younger generation, who are demanding an end to the political repression and economic hardships under both the Pahlavi dynasty and the current clerical regime. His political views remain unpopular among Iranians both inside the country and abroad, as evidenced by his failure to gain significant support in the months leading up to the mass protests that have rocked Iran since 2017. In fact, during nationwide uprisings in 2022 after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, the central slogan was “death to oppressor, being the Shah or the Mullah”.
The exiled former prince’s inability to position himself as a viable alternative to the Islamic Republic’s leadership is not just a matter of unpopularity—it is also a result of his deep ties to those forces that have long sustained Iran’s oppressive structures such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militias (video). This call for a return to monarchy founded on collaboration with IRGC and current repressive forces inside Iran is anathema to the aspirations of those seeking democracy and human rights in Iran.
SAVAK and the Unspoken History of Torture
Another aspect of Pahlavi family’s legacy remains largely unexplored—its involvement in human rights violations. One of the most disturbing legacies of the Pahlavi era is the widespread use of torture and repression under the regime. Among the figures who enabled and executed this violence was Parviz Sabeti, a key intelligence officer under the Shah, whose role in the torture and execution of political prisoners has left a lasting scar on the history of Iran.
Sabeti, known for his role as the chair holders of SAVAK, oversaw the interrogation and torture of countless individuals who were viewed as political enemies of the regime. His role in these human rights violations has led to calls for accountability, even decades after the Shah’s regime collapsed. Today, Sabeti faces prosecution in the United States for his involvement in torture. The pursuit of legal action against individuals like Sabeti, who operated with impunity under the Pahlavi regime, is a critical step in addressing the historical wrongs that continue to haunt Iranians.
While some may argue that the actions of individuals like Sabeti were carried out under the direction of the Pahlavi regime, the larger question remains: how can Reza Pahlavi—a man who seeks to restore his family’s legacy—distance himself from these atrocities? The fact that he has not unequivocally denounced the torturous methods employed by SAVAK and the complicity of his family members in perpetuating such violence raises serious questions about his suitability as a leader for a free and democratic Iran. Close associates of Reza Pahlavi have confirmed that Sabeti has been acting as Pahlavi’s advisor in recent years. Simultaneous with the Munich Security Conference in February 2023, a small group of Reza Pahlavi’s supporters participated in a rally to promote him as “The King,” while holding large portraits of Parviz Sabeti, symbolizing the type of government they foresee after a potential takeover by Pahlavi. This move deeply outraged the Iranian diaspora, particularly those who were old enough to remember the reign of terror that Parviz Sabeti imposed on Iran during the time of the Shah.
Reza Pahlavi and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Another troubling aspect of Reza Pahlavi’s position is his relationship with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the United States and several other nations, is the primary instrument of repression in Iran today. Pahlavi’s recent statements have suggested tacit support the IRGC’s efforts to control and suppress the protests sweeping across Iran even more. In an interview with POLITICO, he called for cash to be released to help “people engage in peaceful civil resistance”, which could also finance “defectors” from the regime to communicate and organize among themselves, Pahlavi said. In his opinion “many of those currently working … for the Tehran regime will need to stay in place to help rebuild the country once the ayatollahs are ousted.” These remarks raise serious concerns about his genuine commitment to democratic reform.
Rather than advocating for an end to the repressive policies of the IRGC, Pahlavi’s rhetoric has appeared to align more with the IRGC’s interests in managing and containing the protests. This has led many to believe that his public stance is less about genuine democratic change and more about securing his own position within the Iranian political landscape. The Iranian people—especially the youth leading the protests—are demanding a break from the past, not a return to the very forces that have oppressed them for decades.
Conclusion: The Iranians seek only a democratic republic without Shah or Mullahs
Reza Pahlavi’s calls for labor strikes and regime change are, at best, a miscalculation, and at worst, an attempt to hijack the legitimate demands of the Iranian people for his own benefit. His connection to a history of corruption, oppression, and human rights violations makes him an inappropriate figurehead for any movement striving for democracy and freedom in Iran.
Rather than offering platforms to figures tied to the past, the international community should focus on supporting the voices of those who have risked everything for a truly democratic and free Iran. The future of Iran lies in the hands of its youth, who are fighting for their fundamental rights, not in the hands of a man whose family history is one of tyranny, repression, and corruption.
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