Manufacturing a monarch: Who backs Reza Pahlavi and why?

Recent protests in Iran have highlighted Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of the Shah, who was overthrown in 1979. However, serious questions are also being raised about him and whether he is suitable for leadership. The most striking thing about Pahlavi is that he has a highly positive approach toward Israel and pro-Israeli, far-right Western politicians.

Back in 2016, his exaggerated condolence message upon the death of Shimon Peres raised doubts about his judgment. Years later, in 2023, he took perhaps the most remarkable step and went to Israel, posing at the Western Wall with a kippa on his head. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel. Gamliel, while Israel's 12-day War with Iran was going on, shared a message: "Next year in free Tehran!" When the latest protests started in Iran, she took a selfie wearing a hat with the words "Make Iran Great Again" and shared the picture, tagging Pahlavi, with the caption “Soon.”

Speaking at the 2024 Israeli-American Summit, Pahlavi emphasized solidarity between Israel, the U.S. and Iranians like himself in the face of Iran's actions against Israel and the U.S. The Israeli American Council is a place that hosts the most ardent Zionists, like Miriam Adelson. Trump also gave a speech there that year.

In 2025, he attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was organized and attended by far-right and, therefore, mostly Israel supporters around the world.

During the 12 Day War, his wife, Yasmine Pahlavi, openly supported Israel's attack on Iran in an Instagram post, despite civilians dying.