For decades, Iran’s former secret police, Savak, symbolized the repression that supported the rule of the last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and fueled the 1979 revolution that toppled his regime. Now, the deposed monarch’s son, Reza Pahlavi, has publicly distanced himself from his most fervent supporters who have glorified the agency in efforts to reinstate the Pahlavi monarchy.

Reza Pahlavi, 65, who has lived in exile for nearly half a century, has positioned himself as a key figure to lead Iran’s transition from the current Islamic theocracy to a democratic government. His profile rose significantly after protesters chanted his name and "javid shah" ("long live the shah") during widespread demonstrations across Iran in January, which were ultimately suppressed by regime security forces.

However, several of his former allies say Pahlavi’s leadership bid has been undermined by factions within his support base espousing what they describe as “fascistic” tendencies. These supporters have displayed banners and worn T-shirts bearing the emblem of Savak—a security service trained by the United States and Israel and infamous for torture and surveillance under the shah’s regime.

In an unusual and cautious response, Pahlavi released a video condemning these displays as “relatively urgent,” though his remarks reflected ambivalence about Savak's historical legacy. He acknowledged the controversy surrounding the agency without endorsing or fully condemning its actions, warning that such behavior only provides justification to the regime’s critics.

Compounding the challenges to Pahlavi’s standing was a report that the U.S. and Israel had considered former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an alternative candidate should the Islamic regime collapse—an apparent plot that reportedly did not advance. Meanwhile, critics emphasize that the celebration of Savak symbols contradicts democratic principles Pahlavi has previously espoused. Nik Kowsar, an Iranian journalist and caricaturist, noted that Pahlavi had explicitly opposed torture and human rights abuses in a 2012 interview.

Signs of authoritarian sentiment within Pahlavi’s camp have also raised concern. At a rally in Munich in March, a supporter brandished a banner declaring “one nation, one flag, one leader,” language reminiscent of historical fascist movements. On social media, video footage showed supporters verbally abusing journalist Christiane Amanpour after she labeled Pahlavi a “pretender to the throne.” Pahlavi himself has occasionally reacted dismissively or confrontationally toward journalists, as seen during a press conference in Berlin where he abruptly cut off questioning and responded heatedly to accusations of being an Israeli agent.

Politically, Pahlavi has aligned with U.S. and Israeli actions targeting Iran, while criticizing European leaders such as UK Labour leader Keir Starmer for “appeasement.” He has also expressed frustration with former U.S. President Donald Trump for delivering inconsistent messages toward Iran.

The environment surrounding Pahlavi has grown increasingly fraught. Following the death in March of Masood Masjoody, a former supporter who alleged threats from activists, two individuals were charged with first-degree murder; there is no evidence linking Pahlavi to this case. Some expatriate Iranians have reported receiving threatening messages in the aftermath.

Pahlavi has attributed such incidents to a “well-orchestrated campaign” by Tehran to damage his reputation. He has condemned violence and insults directed at political actors but has largely refrained from disciplining his own diverse base of supporters.

Analysts and former allies express concern over Pahlavi’s tolerance of far-right extremist elements within his movement. Alireza Nader, a Washington-based analyst who parted ways with Pahlavi, described some supporters as “fascistic” and noted Pahlavi’s transformation into a figure embraced by pro-Israel, MAGA-aligned factions, contrasting sharply with his previously liberal and democratic persona.

Reza Pahlavi’s recent attendance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas has reinforced perceptions of his outreach to the American right wing, although reports suggest former President Trump is dismissive of him, reportedly referring to him as a “loser prince.”

Pahlavi has consistently stated he has no intention of returning to Iran, with some observers attributing his leadership aspirations to his growing ties with Israel, which he visited in 2023. Vali Nasr, a professor of international relations at Johns Hopkins University, highlighted the interplay between Israeli support and Iran’s domestic unrest. Nasr pointed out Israel’s active encouragement of Iranian protests—aligned with Pahlavi’s stance—during the June conflict and the January uprisings but emphasized that Pahlavi currently lacks any representatives within Iran itself.

As Iran undergoes ongoing political tensions, Reza Pahlavi’s role remains contested both inside and outside the country, shaped by internal factionalism, external alliances, and enduring questions over legitimacy and leadership vision.