Name: Who Is Reza Pahlavi, heir to Persian throne?
Uploaded: 2026-01-12T08:45:22.503Z
Duration: 1 min 22 s
Description: Euronews provides an in-depth look at Reza Pahlavi, the heir to the Persian throne, his journey from exiled crown prince to a leading opposition figure, and his vision for a future secular democratic society in Iran based on national referendums and peaceful transition.

Euronews provides an in-depth look at Reza Pahlavi, the heir to the Persian throne, his journey from exiled crown prince to a leading opposition figure, and his vision for a future secular democratic society in Iran based on national referendums and peaceful transition.

Tehran

Reza Pahlavi, born in 1960 as the heir to Iran's throne, left the country in 1978 for the United States, just before the Islamic Revolution led to the monarchy's collapse. Following his father's death, he assumed the title of Shah in exile but was unable to return or regain influence within Iran.

In recent years, Pahlavi has sought to reestablish himself as a key figure in Iran's political future, particularly as dissatisfaction with the current regime grows. Comparisons between Iran under the Islamic Republic and under the Shah have contributed to his status as a leading opposition figure, with his calls fueling protests despite government crackdowns.

Who Is Reza Pahlavi, heir to Persian throne?

A call by Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi fuelled protests across Iran, despite of a nationwide internet blackout, a severe crackdown on the protests and a rising death toll. Born in 1960, Reza Pahlavi's birth was a moment of national significance as Iran celebrated the arrival of Iran's heir to the throne. In 1978, the Crown Prince left his homeland for flight school in the U.S. A year later, his father fled Iran during the onset of what became known as the Islamic Revolution. Following his father's death, Reza Pahlavi assumed the role of Shah, but never returned to Iran. He then attempted to gain influence from abroad, but failed to do so. Decades after the fall of the monarchy, he is now once again trying to position himself as a key player in his country's future. Iran's current ruling system's failure to deliver economic and social progress has prompted comparisons to be made between the countries standing under the Islamic Republic versus under the Shah. These comparisons, as a result, helped elevate Reza Pahlavi as today's leading opposition figure.

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Washington

Trump briefed on new military options for Iran strikes amid protests

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Las Vegas

Rise of AI

AI-powered innovation dominates Consumer Electronics show

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Victoria

'Gut-wrenching': Australian bushfires expected to burn for weeks

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Protests in Iran defy government crackdown

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Iran's army threatens to join crackdown against protesters

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Nuuk

Greenland rejects Trump's threats

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Trump says U.S will act on Greenland, 'whether they like it or not'

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Philadelphia

Protests spread across the U.S. over ICE shooting of woman

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Internet blackout in Iran enters second day as protests intensify

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Cebu City

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Simon's Town

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New York

Luigi Mangione's lawyers fight to block death penalty

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Thousands of firefighters deployed to fight bushfires in Australia

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Minneapolis

Several arrested in Minneapolis during anti-ICE protest

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Venezuela Strikes

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Trump: U.S. to hit Iran 'very hard' if violence continues at protests

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia fires hypersonic missile at Ukraine target near NATO border

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Brussels

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Cúcuta

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Portland

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Odesa

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U.S. officials have discussed sending lump sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

Breakdown