Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, has seen a surge in prominence in recent weeks, culminating in a call for international intervention in Iran during his address at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026. Pahlavi urged the United States to actively work towards the overthrow of the current Iranian regime, which he characterized as the primary impediment to Iranian freedom.
The increased attention surrounding Pahlavi is reflected in his growing social media following. His Instagram account has gained 3.4 million followers in the past month, bringing his total to 9.5 million, according to reports.
Within Iran, demonstrations have seen protesters chanting Pahlavi’s name, a development occurring as the Islamic Republic attempts to solidify public support. During official celebrations marking the 46th anniversary of the 1979 Revolution on February 11th, President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly expressed “shame” over the government’s response to protests on January 8th and 9th, according to the official website of the Iranian Presidency.
On February 2nd, Pahlavi issued a call via social media, appealing to Iranians abroad and “freedom-loving people around the world” to capture to the streets and pressure the international community into taking “concrete and urgent action” in support of the Iranian people. He outlined six specific demands: the dismantling of the regime’s repressive apparatus, the severing of financial support, the restoration of internet access, the expulsion of Iranian “diplomats,” the prosecution of regime officials, the immediate release of political prisoners, and the preparation for recognition of a “legitimate transitional government” to guide Iran towards democracy.
Pahlavi designated Los Angeles, Toronto, and Munich as key gathering points for planned demonstrations, a move coinciding with the Munich Security Conference.
The resurgence of the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag – featuring a lion, sun, and crown – during protests in Davos in January has further fueled the debate surrounding Pahlavi’s growing influence. This symbol, once associated with the monarchy, is now sparking discussion within Iran, indicating a challenge to established taboos of the Islamic Republic. Ali Akbar Salehi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and a key figure in the 2015 nuclear agreement, asserted that the lion and sun symbol “belongs to the Islamic Republic,” despite its association with monarchist supporters, as reported by TV SNN.
A moderate Iranian newspaper, Sâzandegi, featured the same symbol on its front page with the headline “Both National and Religious,” a decision that drew criticism from conservative media outlets like Fars News, which deemed it a departure from long-standing policy. This internal debate highlights the increasing prominence of the monarchy as a topic within Iranian political discourse, even as the possibility of a hereditary succession, such as that of Mojtaba Jamenei, son of the Supreme Leader, is considered.
Pahlavi’s rising popularity, cultivated over decades by opposition networks abroad, also reflects a growing rejection of negotiations with the Islamic Republic. His call for action aims to increase pressure on Tehran, even as the prospect of U.S. Military intervention appears to be receding. On February 6th, former President Trump described ongoing talks in Oman involving U.S. Representatives and Iranian officials as “very quality,” stating that “Iran seems willing to craft a deal at any price,” according to the BBC.
On February 12th, the current U.S. President warned Iran of “very traumatic consequences” should negotiations fail, emphasizing the need for an agreement. At the Munich Security Conference on February 13th, Senator Lindsey Graham stated that President Trump could be relied upon to fulfill his promise to support Iranian protesters “through diplomacy or military force,” adding, “If they don’t realize we are at a historic moment, they are missing a lot; we are talking weeks, not months. And when we do, if we do, we will start and we will not stop.”
