Is the Islamic Republic of Iran afraid of Reza Pahlavi? – analysis

The Islamic Republic of Iran appears concerned about the influence of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, among ordinary Iranians. Despite being outside Iran for over four decades, Pahlavi's name was chanted by millions during January's protests, prompting the regime to launch a campaign to undermine his standing. Iranian state media, including Tasnim News Agency and Fars News Agency, have repeatedly attacked Pahlavi's ability to mobilize people, unite the opposition, and appeal to minorities, accusing him of exploiting national issues for political gain. For instance, Tasnim accused him of "Rewriting a failure; Reza Pahlavi changes colors again" regarding his role in the January uprising. Additionally, Tehran's judiciary issued a sweeping indictment against Pahlavi in July, accusing him of security, terrorism, and espionage offenses, including "corruption on Earth." Senior security figures, like Mohsen Rezaei, have framed January's unrest as a foreign-designed "coup," with Pahlavi occupying a prominent place in this narrative due to his calls for action and ties with Israel. The regime's sustained efforts to discredit Pahlavi suggest it views him as a significant national-security threat and a potential unifying figure for those seeking to end the current system.