Name: Amid Irans unrest, is Reza Pahlavi gaining support?
Uploaded: 2026-01-07T13:27:24.674Z
Duration: 3 min 36 s
Description: As ongoing protests grip Iran, some activists are calling for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, ousted in 1979. But how much support does he have inside the country?

As ongoing protests grip Iran, some activists are calling for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, ousted in 1979. But how much support does he have inside the country?

Baghdad

Amid ongoing protests in Iran, chants supporting the return of the monarchy and Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, have resurfaced, particularly on social media. However, experts note that the true extent of his support inside Iran is unclear, as much of the visible backing comes from the Iranian diaspora.

Reza Pahlavi has publicly campaigned against the Islamic Republic and called for free elections, while denying any intention to reclaim the throne. Although some protesters see him as a potential transitional leader due to the lack of other opposition figures, many Iranians remain wary, recalling past disappointments with exiled leaders.

Amid Iran's unrest, is Reza Pahlavi gaining support?

Long live the Shah. It's a chant that has not been heard on Iranian streets for decades. But during the ongoing protests it seems to be in vogue again. At least that's what videos circulating on social media suggest. But does that mean Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince and son of the last Shah, is really gaining support inside Iran? There are some people who do support the return of Reza Pahlavi in Iran, but that number of people in Iran is uncertain. It tends to get magnified by the Iranian diaspora, many of whom are diehard supporters of Reza Pahlavi. And of course, on our social media, we usually hear the voices of the diaspora more than we do of those inside Iran. So calling for his return to the throne, especially given the record of his late father, the Shah, that's something we must be very cautious about. Reza Pahlavi was born in Tehran as the oldest son of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his wife Farah, and was raised as crown prince, expected to succeed his father. But then the Iranian revolution happened. Months of mass protests, driven by widespread opposition to his father's authoritarian rule, political repression and corruption. The Pahlavis fled the country. Ayatollah Khomeini returned from his exile in France and the Islamic Republic was formed. That's more than 45 years ago, but monarchists still consider Reza Pahlavi the heir to the Persian throne. Pahlavi himself has been actively campaigning against the Islamic Republic, asking people inside Iran to rise against their oppressors and overthrow the regime. And he has been touring the world, asking for international support. I reckon this tweet directed at US President Donald Trump. I have the plan for a stable transition for Iran and the support of my people to get it done. With your leadership of the free world, we can leave a legacy of lasting peace. But he has always denied he seeks to return to his home country as a ruling monarch. My only mission in life is to see to it that the Iranian people can ultimately determine their own future in a free and fair election. And the day that the Iranians go to the poll to decide their future, that would be mission accomplished and the end of my political mission in life. So according to experts, the calls for him that are heard across Iran at the moment could also be fuelled by that. The desperate hope for someone who can make the difference and help topple the Islamic Republic. In the last three or four protests, similar protests that we've had, there was no clear leader figure, whereas one has emerged. I will say that while some of the protesters may specifically want the return of the monarchy, other protesters are simply calling for his leadership as a transitional figure. So calls for his leadership certainly point to the absence of other alternatives for Iranians and him emerging as the kind of clear front runner in the opposition. With most of the opposition inside Iran in prison, Pahlavi might look like the obvious choice as transitional leader. But many Iranians remain cautious. After all, they have not had the best experience when an exiled opposition leader returns to save them.

President Trump weighed in on the deadly shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday. CBS News' Willie James Inman reports.

Minneapolis

Trump claims woman shot by ICE in Minneapolis was “very disorderly”

President Trump plans to meet with Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Mr. Trump issued threats following the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports from Bogotá.

Washington

Trump to meet Colombia’s Petro after tensions over Venezuela operation

The United Kingdom aided the U.S. in an operation to seize a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

UK helped the U.S. seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela

U.S. forces on Wednesday seized two oil tankers, one in the North Atlantic and the other in the Caribbean, as part of the Trump administration's blockade of Venezuela's oil exports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will take between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil and sell it in the marketplace.

U.S. to control money from Venezuela oil sales after tanker seizures

Nick Reiner was set to be arraigned on murder charges on Wednesday in the killing of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. But his defense attorney, Alan Jackson, told the judge he could no longer represent the 32-year-old. After the hearing, Jackson said he couldn't say why he withdrew for legal reasons, but added, "Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."

Los Angeles

Nick Reiner's lawyer withdraws from case, says Reiner 'is not guilty'

NASA is considering a rare early return of its crew from the International Space Station over an unspecified medical issue involving one of the astronauts, after canceling a planned spacewalk that had been scheduled for Thursday (January 8), the agency said.

NASA mulls early ISS crew return due to astronaut medical issue

Washington says it has intercepted two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic as part of President Trump’s hardline effort to control oil movements across the Americas, claiming the vessels were part of a so-called shadow fleet used to ship sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran.

UK helped U.S. military to seize sentenced oil tanker on way to Russia

Minneapolis erupts in protests after a woman is shot by a federal agent – Video of the incident sparks outrage nationwide.

ICE shoots woman: Incident sparks protests across the U.S.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged security forces to show restraint, distinguishing peaceful protesters from armed rioters. However, rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 27 protesters have been killed, while Iranian media report 15 deaths, including members of the security forces.

Tehran

Iran police officer killed as cost-of-living protests enter 12th day

The decision comes as Trump approaches the first anniversary of his second term. Since returning to office, he has already moved to exit the World Health Organization, the Paris climate agreement, and UNESCO, while cutting funding to several UN bodies.

Trump orders U.S. withdrawal from 66 international organisations

Iran's army chief threatened pre-emptive military action on Wednesday over the "rhetoric" targeting the country, thought to be in reference to threats made by US President Donald Trump last week, warning that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," Washington would "come to their rescue."

Iran army chief threatens pre-emptive attack after Trump threats

U.S. forces have boarded a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks. The U.S. military also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces on Wednesday.

Venezuela Strikes

U.S. seizes two more sanctioned oil tankers with links to Venezuela

A woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security says. CBS News' Nicole Sganga reports from the scene.

Protesters gather after ICE shoots and kills woman in Minneapolis

The U.S. seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday (Jan. 7), after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic as part of a U.S. "blockade" of Venezuelan oil exports.

U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

Nick Reiner, the son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is set to be arraigned in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. It comes as details emerge about his time in custody and how his mental health history could play a role in his case.

Nick Reiner due in court on murder charges

Flights across France and Belgium and Eurostar train services have been severely disrupted by the winter weather.

Paris

Eurostar trains and hundreds of flights cancelled amid heavy snowfall

President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday urged security forces to distinguish between what he called rioters and protesters, urging them not to target peaceful demonstrators.

Iran's President urges security forces not to target protesters

In Iran, protests that broke out on December 28th over the soaring cost of living look set to continue. Security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on January 6: without giving numbers, Iran's IRNA news agency said 'some' people were arrested.

Death toll rises as Iran's security forces clash with protesters

Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are reacting to the Trump administration's comments on a potential Greenland takeover from Denmark.

Nuuk

European leaders blast Trump over Greenland takeover discussions

Donald Trump says Venezuela will hand over as much as 50 million barrels of oil and he will control the profits.

Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil

Britain and France have said they could send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. The pledge came at a Paris meeting of 30 nations, including the US, on security guarantees demanded by Kyiv before any peace deal.

London

Ukraine Invasion

UK, France ready to deploy troops in Ukraine after ceasefire

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would “take up arms” in the face of threats issued by US President Donald Trump.

Bogotá

Colombia vows to defend its sovereignty amid Trump’s military threats

Israeli forces storm Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank soon after students begin a sit-in in solidarity with jailed Palestinians.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli school assault wounds dozens of Palestinians in West Bank raid

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump and his team are considering a range of options in efforts to acquire Greenland as the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro continues to reverberate in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump sees acquiring Greenland as a national security priority

The United States for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraine's allies in vowing to provide security guarantees that leaders said would include binding commitments to support the country if it is attacked by Russia again.

U.S. backs security guarantees for Ukraine at summit of Kyiv's allies

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Soweto

Ramaphosa urges UN action after U.S. capture of Maduro

At least 25 people have been killed in Iran during the first nine days of protests that started in the bazaar of Tehran over the plunging value of the currency and soaring inflation, according to rights groups. This video contains graphic images.

Rights groups say at least 25 dead in Iran protests

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Trump administration sets meetings with oil firms on Venezuela: source

Uncertainty in Venezuela has crossed into neighboring Colombia, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Colombian President Gustavo Petro could face U.S. action following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Tension rises in Colombia after Maduro’s capture

Nicolas Maduro appeared in a US courtroom on January 5, 2026. He pleaded "Not Guilty" to drug trafficking and other charges, insisting he is still Venezuela's president. Maduro's kidnapping is being justified by the Trump administration as a "surgical law enforcement operation", but what proof is the case resting on?

Breakdown