The rise of Reza Pahlavi: Iranian opposition leader or opportunist?

A scholar of modern Iran looks at Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah of Iran, and examines what he believes and why his profile has been elevated during the recent anti-government protests.

By: Eric Lob, Florida International University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 23, 2026

Words: 1,617

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Eric Lob, Florida International University

During the protests that ripped through Iran in January, one person who gained attention was Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi, who lives in a suburb of Washington, D.C., is the son of the late shah of Iran, who ruthlessly ruled the country before being deposed during the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Pahlavi emerged during the recent upheaval as a prominent political dissident in exile who encouraged …

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