Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, recently found himself at the center of controversy after voicing strong support for Israel during its conflict with Iran. In a televised news conference just before a ceasefire was declared, Pahlavi urged the United States not to resume nuclear talks with the Iranian government and framed the situation as a historic opportunity for Iranians to rise up against their rulers. He portrayed himself as a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader and encouraged military defections and public uprisings.
However, his message fell flat among Iranians, including many who oppose the current government. Rather than mobilizing the masses, his comments sparked backlash. Many citizens instead rallied behind their country in the face of external attack. His failure to condemn the civilian casualties caused by Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly claimed over 900 lives, alienated large swaths of the Iranian population.
Critics argue that Pahlavi has undermined his own credibility by aligning with a foreign power widely perceived as hostile. His perceived indifference to the loss of Iranian civilian lives has severely damaged his image. For some, his actions confirmed suspicions that he prioritizes regime change over the well-being of the Iranian people.
While his base of support in the Iranian diaspora remains, especially among monarchists nostalgic for pre-revolutionary Iran, even some of these backers acknowledge that his appeal rests more on symbolism than substance. Many younger Iranians and former allies question whether he offers a real vision for the country’s future. His support for Israel, a state seen by many Iranians as an aggressor, has only deepened this skepticism.
The memory of the Pahlavi dynasty’s rule—marked by authoritarianism, torture, and increasing inequality—further complicates his image. His grandfather, Reza Khan, centralized power and suppressed dissent. His father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, relied heavily on a feared secret police force to crush opposition. State violence and growing economic disparity under their rule contributed directly to the revolution that toppled the monarchy in 1979.
Despite this legacy, some older Iranians remain sympathetic. They remember the Pahlavi era as a time of modernization and closer relations with the West. But that nostalgia is not enough to generate widespread support, especially among younger generations more attuned to the democratic ideals Pahlavi now claims to support.
His efforts to build coalitions with other opposition figures have also faltered. A much-publicized alliance formed in 2023 with other prominent activists quickly collapsed amid disputes over leadership. Reports suggest Pahlavi refused to share decision-making power, expecting the group to rally behind him unconditionally. His allies, disillusioned by what they described as undemocratic behavior, soon distanced themselves.
Perhaps most damaging was his 2023 visit to Israel. During this trip, Pahlavi appeared in public with Israeli leaders and visited religious sites significant to Jews, but ignored key Islamic landmarks important to Iranians. Many interpreted this as further proof of his disconnect from the culture and sentiments of the Iranian people.
Observers note that Pahlavi has spent most of his life in exile, far removed from the struggles of everyday Iranians. His long-standing relationships with U.S. political circles and pro-Israel lobbying groups, along with his support for sanctions that have hurt Iran’s civilian population, reinforce the perception that he is out of touch.
While he still presents himself as a champion of secular democracy, his recent choices have raised doubts about his motives and judgment. Critics suggest that, rather than working to unite a fractured opposition, he has instead prioritized personal ambition and Western approval—at the cost of alienating the very people he claims to represent.
