Who is Reza Pahlavi who gives Khamenei sleepless nights? Sound of change of power or foreign conspiracy! This slogan is echoing in the midst of smoldering Iran

Iran is currently going through its biggest political-social turmoil. The public outrage that started from Tehran against inflation, unemployment and declining economy has now spread to many cities of the country. The situation has worsened so much that at least seven people have been confirmed dead so far. The protesters on the streets are raising slogans directly against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and one name is being echoed again and again – Reza Pahlavi,

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Amidst this turmoil, US President Donald Trump’s warning, Israel’s statements and the reactions of American lawmakers have given this movement an international color. Questions are being raised – Is there a sign of change of power in Iran? Who is Reza Pahlavi, whose return is being demanded? And is there really a US-Israel conspiracy behind this?

Inflation burns Iran, people take to the streets

From December 28, youth, shopkeepers and common citizens started protesting against the government in Iran’s capital Tehran. Within no time this movement spread to cities like Karaj, Isfahan and Kuhdasht. So far, six protesters and one security personnel have died in clashes between police and protesters.

Iran’s economy is in deep crisis. In December 2025, the Iranian Rial reached a record low and its value was said to be around 42,000 Rials against one dollar. Inflation rate has reached 42.5%. The prices of food items have increased by 72% and that of medicines by 50%. To make the situation worse, the government proposed to increase taxes by 62% in the budget of 2026.

Government’s cleanliness and limited leniency

Amidst increasing pressure, the government removed the Governor of the Central Bank and appointed a new Governor. President Massoud Peshchekian offered talks with the protesters. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the government recognizes the protests and peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right of the people.

Slogans of ‘Khamenei Murdabad, Pahlavi Zindabad’

During the demonstrations, Iranian students and ordinary citizens are raising slogans like “Death to Dictator Khamenei”, “Long Live Reza Pahlavi”, “Javid Shah” and “Pahlavi will return”. These slogans make this movement different from earlier protests.

Who is Reza Pahlavi, whose return is demanded?

Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. He was born on 31 October 1960 in Tehran. In 1967 he was officially declared the Crown Prince of Iran. But after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, his family was forced to leave the country. Reza Pahlavi studied political science in America and currently lives in exile in Maryland. He founded the “National Council of Iran for Free Elections” in 2013 and demanded free elections in Iran. He has been calling the Islamic rule led by Khamenei as a dictatorship. On the recent protests, he wrote on X- ‘I am with you. Victory will be ours because our cause is just and we are united. As long as this government remains in power, the economic condition of the country will continue to deteriorate.

How did the Shah’s rule fall and the Khamenei era come?

Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979. Due to his proximity to western countries and secular policies, his opposition increased. In 1963, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini started a movement against ‘White Revolution’. The Islamic Revolution overthrew the monarchy in 1978–79. The Shah left the country and died in Egypt in 1980. After Khomeini’s death in 1989, Ali Khamenei became the supreme leader of Iran and has been in power for the last 36 years.

Is there a US-Israel conspiracy?

The Iranian government alleges that America and Israel are fueling these demonstrations. According to ORF senior fellow Sushant Sarin, “If the Islamic regime is replaced by a leadership that is not an enemy of Israel, then it would be an ideal situation for America-Israel.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already appealed to the Iranian people to stand up against Khamenei. The US State Department also said- ‘Intimidating and arresting peaceful protesters is a matter of concern. Asking for rights is not a crime.

Is Khamenei’s overthrow possible?

Experts believe that removing Khamenei is not easy. JNU Professor A.K. Pasha says that change of power is possible only when America plays a direct role. At the same time, many analysts believe that the plan for successor after Khamenei is already ready, in which the name of his son Mojtaba is also in discussion. Iran and Vatican are two countries in the world where religion is the supreme authority. In Iran, ‘Rahbar’ i.e. Supreme Leader is the most powerful position. The Assembly of Experts has the right to remove him, but its members are also elected under the supervision of Rahbar, thereby closing the circle of power.

What will America-Israel get from the change of power?

According to experts, there will be three big benefits-

• America’s almost complete control over the Middle East
• Strengthening relations with countries like Saudi Arabia
• America-Israel alliance becoming more powerful.