In the wake of a brutal new “espionage” bill passed by Iran’s theocratic parliament, speaking out against the regime now risks execution. This law expands the death penalty to anyone deemed to collaborate with “hostile” nations like the US, UK, or Israel, labeling such acts as “corruption on Earth.” Sharing videos with foreign media or producing content critical of the regime can now also lead to imprisonment or death. Far from leading to reform, a recent ceasefire has emboldened Iran’s leadership to intensify crackdowns, unleashing killings and torture unseen in decades.
Eyewitnesses in Tehran report that anyone stepping outside risks immediate arrest or worse at the hands of the feared Basij militia. Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime, humiliated by Israel’s recent military actions, has responded with a wave of internal repression. Despite this climate of fear, grassroots resistance appears to be growing, as Iran’s theocracy seems more fragile than ever.
Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, exiled figure Reza Pahlavi—son of the ousted Shah—has surfaced again with calls for regime change. From the safety of the US, he tweeted encouragement for a “nationwide uprising,” claiming he would soon return to lead Iran. For many Iranians, however, Pahlavi represents a return to another form of dictatorship.
The Shah’s legacy is tainted with autocracy, Western interference, and the notorious SAVAK secret police, infamous for their brutal torture methods. When the Shah was finally overthrown in 1979, he fled with billions, leaving behind a nation enraged and betrayed. Reza Pahlavi, despite trying to recast himself as a champion of democracy, still glorifies his father’s rule and maintains questionable ties to elements of the current regime, including claims of contact with members of the IRGC and Basij militia.
British politicians, including David Cameron and Boris Johnson, recently met with Pahlavi—an act that has raised concern across party lines. Tory MP Bob Blackman criticized Pahlavi’s reported ties with the IRGC, while Labour’s Lord Steve McCabe dismissed him as irrelevant, warning of his romanticized view of dictatorship. Baroness O’Loan echoed these concerns, emphasizing support for the Iranian people’s demand for a secular democracy free from both monarchist and theocratic oppression.
A new white paper by the Free Iran Scholars Network, authored by Dr. Khalil Khani, reinforces this message. Khani argues that the 1979 revolution was a rejection of both monarchy and theocracy—a call for sovereignty, justice, and democracy. He warns against returning to either form of authoritarianism, asserting that Iran’s future lies with its people, not recycled rulers.
In a moment this critical, Iran must not trade one form of tyranny for another. The world should support the Iranian people’s push for a democratic and secular republic—not a revival of the Shah’s dynasty under the guise of reform.