Reza Pahlavi draws support from some protesters amid Iran unrest

As mass protests have swept Iran, some demonstrators have rallied around Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah, raising his profile as a possible alternative to the clerical leadership in Tehran. Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, has long presented himself as a potential future leader, but Iranians are sharply divided because of the repressive legacy of his father, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

For two weeks, huge crowds have called openly for the ouster of the Islamic Republic; human rights groups say hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested in the government crackdown. Protesters have been filmed raising the pre-revolution flag and chanting both “Long live the shah” and “Death to the oppressor, be it king or supreme leader.” Analysts say it is difficult to assess how many Iranians genuinely want Pahlavi to return, given a government-imposed internet blackout and his polarizing reputation.

Critics accuse him of exaggerating his support and say they face harassment; supporters note he has a base partly because many other potential leaders are jailed, and he joined last Thursday’s call for mass protests. Background details in reports note he was born in Tehran in 1960, became crown prince, fled after the 1979 revolution and has since campaigned from exile.

What is known versus unknown remains unsettled: Pahlavi has sought U.S. backing, including messages to President Trump and public support for possible U.S. intervention, and Mr.

Key Topics

World, Reza Pahlavi, Iran Protests, Iran, Islamic Republic, President Trump