FROM EXILE TO POWER: CAN REZA PAHLAVI UNITE A BROKEN NATION?

Abstract

This study, From Exile to Power: Can Reza Pahlavi Unite a Broken Nation?, examines the political potential of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, as a unifying figure in the post-Islamic Republic era. The research situates Pahlavi within the historical context of the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979). It contrasts the modernization achievements of that period with the authoritarianism, corruption, and socio-political decline that followed the 1979 Islamic Revolution. By employing a qualitative methodology, the paper draws upon historical narratives, discourse analysis of the crown prince's public statements and media presence, and comparative case studies of other exiled leaders who sought to reclaim political legitimacy. The study also evaluates the current political climate inside Iran—marked by fragmented opposition movements, widespread public dissent, and the paradox of international sanctions—and assesses how these dynamics influence the potential role of the crown prince as a symbolic and practical leader. The findings suggest that while challenges such as factionalism within the opposition and scepticism among Iranians remain, the crown prince's combination of historical legitimacy, diaspora influence, and advocacy for secular democratic governance uniquely positions him as a potential unifying figure. The article concludes by presenting possible scenarios for Iran's political future, ranging from a best-case restoration of stability under a constitutional monarchy to continued stagnation under clerical rule.