As of January 11, 2026, Iran remains gripped by nationwide protests that have entered their second week, marking some of the most intense anti-government demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. What began as economic grievances—sparked by hyperinflation, the collapse of the rial, and widespread hardship—has evolved into broad calls for regime change, with chants targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic’s clerical rule.
At the center of this surge stands Reza Pahlavi, the 65-year-old exiled crown prince and eldest son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. From his base in the United States, Pahlavi has actively encouraged the unrest through social media videos and statements. On January 8 and 9, he called for coordinated demonstrations at precisely 8 p.m. local time, urging Iranians to take to the streets, chant against the regime, and even seize control of city centers while hoisting the pre-1979 Lion and Sun flag—a potent symbol of the Pahlavi era.
Protesters in cities including Tehran, Ahwaz, Tabriz, and Mashhad have responded with visible enthusiasm. Videos and eyewitness accounts show large crowds shouting slogans such as “This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return!”, “Javid Shah” (long live the king), “Reza Shah, may your soul be blessed”, and “Long live the Shah”. In some neighborhoods, demonstrators have set fires, paraded the old royal flag, and expressed support for Pahlavi’s promised return. He has framed his role as facilitating a peaceful, non-violent transition to democracy, emphasizing free elections, secular governance, and a nationwide referendum to decide Iran’s future political system—whether a republic or a constitutional monarchy. Pahlavi has repeatedly stated he does not seek personal power but aims to guide the country through this “critical hour” toward stability and justice.
The regime’s response has been severe: a nationwide internet and communications blackout, violent crackdowns by security forces (including reports of live ammunition fire), and the importation of foreign Shia militias to assist in suppression. Human rights groups estimate hundreds of deaths and thousands detained, with the death toll continuing to rise amid ongoing clashes.
Despite Pahlavi’s growing visibility as the opposition’s most prominent figure, the question lingers: Do these monarchist chants reflect a genuine desire among Iranians for another king, or something more nuanced?
Evidence from the streets is mixed. While pro-Pahlavi slogans and symbols dominate in many videos and reports, other chants reject both the current theocracy and any return to monarchy, such as “Neither Shah nor clergy” or “Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Rahbar”. These reflect lingering resentment toward the Pahlavi dynasty’s authoritarian past, including the SAVAK secret police, economic inequality, and the 1953 CIA-backed coup that reinstated the Shah after ousting Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
Reliable polling inside Iran is challenging due to repression—open support for monarchy remains taboo and punishable—but exile-focused and online surveys offer some insight. A 2024 GAMAAN survey (conducted with over 77,000 respondents, weighted to represent literate adults) found Reza Pahlavi as the most popular opposition figure, with around 31% support—outpacing others like activists or cultural icons. Support for monarchy itself hovered lower, at about 21%, while a secular republic led with 26%. His appeal appears strongest among men, older generations, and certain regions, often tied to nostalgia for the pre-1979 era’s perceived modernization, stability, and secularism in contrast to the current regime’s failures.
Analysts suggest many protesters use monarchist symbols pragmatically: as a powerful “no” to the Islamic Republic when no unified alternative exists, rather than a deep ideological commitment to restoring the throne. Pahlavi himself reinforces this by refusing to demand personal restoration, instead advocating for the people to decide via referendum. Critics argue his prominence stems from name recognition, diaspora amplification, and a lack of organized rivals inside Iran—many potential leaders remain imprisoned or suppressed.
International reactions remain cautious. U.S. President Donald Trump has praised the protesters’ bravery but declined to meet Pahlavi or offer direct endorsement, signaling a wait-and-see approach amid fears of entanglement. Diaspora solidarity rallies worldwide have amplified calls for Pahlavi, but the movement inside Iran appears fragmented and leaderless in many respects.
In essence, Reza Pahlavi has undeniably gained symbolic traction, emerging as the most recognizable face of opposition amid the regime’s deepening crisis. Yet the chants honoring the Pahlavi name do not necessarily signal majority support for monarchy restoration. They reflect profound frustration with 47 years of theocratic rule, economic despair, and repression—coupled with nostalgia for a pre-revolutionary past—rather than a unified push for kingship. The true preferences of Iranians would only become clear in a free, open referendum—one that Pahlavi himself champions. As the protests persist and the crackdown intensifies, Iran’s future remains uncertain and fluid.
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