Background on Savak and Reza Pahlavi's Position
For decades, the Savak was regarded as the most reviled symbol of repression that upheld Iran’s last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and was a key factor fueling the revolutionary movement that overthrew him in 1979.
Currently, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed monarch, has been compelled to distance himself from the Savak after some of his most vocal supporters glorified it as a central emblem in their efforts to reinstate him on the throne through a royal restoration.
Based in Washington and aged 65, Pahlavi has not set foot in Iran for 48 years. He presents himself as a proponent of leading a transition to democracy to replace the existing Islamic theocracy, which has been struggling for survival since February amid a campaign of military strikes by the US and Israel. These strikes are presently stalled amid a fragile ceasefire and Pakistani-mediated negotiations.
Pahlavi emerged as a potential leader after protesters chanted his name and "javid shah" (long live the shah), referencing Iran’s extensive monarchical history, during mass demonstrations in January that were violently suppressed by regime security forces.
Controversy Over Supporters' Glorification of Savak
However, former allies of Pahlavi contend that his credibility has been undermined by "fascistic" supporters who have conducted rallies celebrating the Savak. This organization, trained by the US and Israel, was widely perceived as an instrument of despotism that maintained his father’s rule through ruthless torture and surveillance of opponents.
After criticism for his initial silence, Pahlavi issued a delayed denunciation of these displays in an interview, describing the issue as "relatively urgent."
"I don’t know where it is coming from," he said.
"I don’t want to get into a historical analysis of whether that organisation acted correctly or incorrectly, what it was not.
I will only say that it is a controversial issue. This is precisely the type of behaviour that gives an excuse to those that want to launch attacks on our movement."
Pahlavi’s condemnation was broadcast after his standing appeared to suffer a setback following a failed scheme to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a likely replacement if the Islamic regime collapsed.
Nevertheless, some of Pahlavi’s former supporters say the Savak celebrations have further eroded his stature by mocking the values he once espoused.
"I interviewed him in 2012 about Savak and he was clearly against torture or against anything that undermined human rights," said Nik Kowsar, a US-based Iranian journalist and caricaturist who abandoned his former support for Pahlavi due to disagreements over hardline advisers.
"The sad thing is Savak was seen an organization that was known to torture political activists or anybody criticizing [his father], as well as censoring the media. It wouldn’t represent democracy or liberalism, but that’s what a number of his avid fans are presenting right now."
Signs of Intolerance and Authoritarianism Among Supporters
Critics argue that the glorification of Savak aligns with other indications of intolerance and authoritarianism within Pahlavi’s camp.
At a rally in Munich in March, one supporter displayed a flag bearing the slogan "one nation, one flag, one leader," closely echoing Nazi rhetoric supporting Hitler.
Followers have also targeted journalists. Widely shared footage on social media showed Iran-born CNN journalist Clarissa Ward being harassed by supporters enraged at her description of Pahlavi as a "pretender to the throne" during an interview.
Supporters, who often refer to him as "crown prince Reza," have also objected to reporters addressing him as "Mr Pahlavi." Pahlavi himself has been confrontational in personal interactions with journalists. At a press conference in Berlin in April, he abruptly cut off a female journalist seeking a follow-up question and engaged in a heated exchange with another who asked if he was "an agent of Israel." He later expressed frustration in a tweet, accusing journalists of "silencing" voices opposing the Islamic regime.
Political Positions and Criticism
Pahlavi has supported US and Israeli strikes against Iran and criticized European governments, notably British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of "appeasement" and comparing him to Neville Chamberlain.
However, he has also recently criticized former US President Donald Trump, accusing him of sending "mixed signals" by threatening to destroy Iran’s civilization.
Threats and Violence Linked to Supporters
Some of Pahlavi’s supporters have been accused of threatening his critics, creating an atmosphere of "fear and dread," according to one source.
Masood Masjoody, a Canada-based former Pahlavi supporter who had broken with him, was murdered in March after claiming he had been threatened by a group of supporters. Investigators later charged two anti-regime campaigners, Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi and Arezou Soltani, with first-degree murder. There is no suggestion that Pahlavi was involved or complicit. Neither accused has entered a plea.
Some expatriate Iranians reported being tagged in threatening social media posts following Masjoody’s death.
"A bunch of us received this threat online, and that really shook all of us up," said Alireza Nader, a Washington-based analyst on Iranian affairs, who reported the threat to police.
Ambiguity Over Monarchical Ambitions and Internal Challenges
Pahlavi has been ambiguous about whether he seeks to inherit his father’s throne. At a recent conference hosted by Politico, he attributed some acts by his supporters to "a well-orchestrated campaign" by the Islamic regime aimed at discrediting him, describing his supporters as "a very diverse group."
"I always condemn any behavior that is based on violence or insult or [aggression] of any kind to anyone that is active. [But] I let my own supporters define themselves and describe themselves," he said.
"Are there extremists every now and then in the mix? Of course they are. This is something that is unavoidable"
However, Nader, a former ally who broke with Pahlavi over what he describes as an increasingly authoritarian stance, believes Pahlavi has tolerated far-right extremists among his supporters.
"I really do think they’re fascistic, if not fascist – and I rarely use that word to describe anyone," he said.
"He has taken the persona of this far-right, Maga, pro-Israel figure. That’s not who he was when I met him. He was just this very docile, polite, liberal, democratic man."
Political Alignment and International Relations
Pahlavi generally does not identify as "far right," instead portraying his movement as inclusive. Nevertheless, he attended the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, reinforcing perceptions that he is courting Trump’s Maga base.
Trump is reportedly skeptical of Pahlavi’s capabilities, having referred to him as a "loser prince," according to the New Yorker.
Pahlavi has previously stated he has no desire to return to Iran, telling an interviewer that all his friends and family are now in the US. Kowsar said Pahlavi, a skilled photographer, once told him his only wish if allowed back would be to take pictures.
Influence of Israel and Challenges Within Iran
Some attribute Pahlavi’s emergence as a presumptive leader to Israeli influence. He visited Israel in 2023, where he met with then-Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"During the 12-day war last June, Netanyahu openly called on the Iranian public to rise up – and Reza Pahlavi also supported that war," said Vali Nasr, professor of international relations at Johns Hopkins University. "Six months later, you have the January uprising and again, the Israelis were knee deep involved, both with Reza Pahlavi, as well as having people on the ground.
"But at the end of the day, Pahlavi doesn’t have a single person in Iran of whom he could say, ‘This is my representative.’ You need to have a ground game, people who can organize for you. This takes months to set up."
Nasr compared Pahlavi’s situation to the 1987 film The Last Emperor, about Puyi, the last Qing dynasty ruler who collaborated with Japanese occupiers in hopes of regaining his throne before dying in obscurity after China fell to communism.
"Like the last emperor, he’s gone to Manchuria under the support of the enemy who is trying to destroy Iran and it’s going to be very difficult for him to extricate himself from there," said Nasr. "The longer this war has gone on, the more irrelevant he has become."
