What is behind the call for a return of the monarchy in Iran?

During the most recent unrest in Iran, the slogan “Long live the king!” has increasingly been heard. It refers to Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah of Persia who was overthrown in 1979.

The 65 year-old Pahlavi was forced to leave Iran with his parents after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. After his father’s death in 1980, he was designated as crown prince in exile.

Political observers believe that the protest movements in Iran, including the latest one, would quickly lose momentum without a charismatic leadership. As there is no such figure inside the country, many people have pinned their hopes on the crown prince living in US exile as the only available option.

Although he enjoys vast support from monarchists, he faces resistance from other opposition groups. His critics accuse him of being the heir to an autocratic monarchy that ultimately paved the way for the rise of the ayatollahs in 1979.

Leftist opposition groups in particular reject him vehemently and doubt that he has either the necessary knowledge or charisma to lead Iran in the future.

Pahlavi himself insists that he does not seek power. His primary goal, he claims, is to lead the nation to overthrow the Islamic system. The political future of the country should then be determined by democratic elections, even if that means without his participation.

For the majority of Iranians, however, these debates are secondary. What matters most to them is the fall of the ayatollahs. Since other opposition groups have so far failed to present alternatives, Pahlavi remains for many Iranians the only choice.