Reza Pahlavi’s supporters in Iran are turning against him

Reza Pahlavi’s supporters in Iran are turning against him Submitted by MEE correspondent on Mon, 03/16/2026 - 16:06 The son of Iran’s last monarch has encouraged protesters to risk their lives and stayed silent on civilians killed by the US and Israel A protester holds an image of Reza Pahlavi during a demonstration against the Iranian government, in New York City, 15 March 2026 (Reuters/Adam Gray) Off Two weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran , a growing number of Iranians who saw Reza Pahlavi as an alternative to the ruling establishment say they are losing faith in the exiled opposition figure. For some, the turning point came before the war broke out, when Pahlavi urged Iranians to rise up against their rulers despite the dangers of a ferocious crackdown. For others, it is his latest call for demonstrations during the traditional Persian festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, set to be held on Tuesday.