By Dearborn Blog Staff
An eye-opening essay in the Boston Review sheds light on a disturbing and ongoing campaign: the U.S. and Israeli-backed push to position Reza Pahlavi—the exiled son of Iran’s deposed shah—as the face of regime change in Iran. The article, “Our Man for Tehran” by Alex Shams, unpacks how this nostalgia-fueled political maneuver is more propaganda than populism. Boston Review
Regime Change on the Airwaves
Amid recent Israeli military strikes on Iran, both Netanyahu and Trump openly discussed “regime change” as a viable outcome. Reza Pahlavi seized the spotlight, declaring it a “Berlin Wall moment,” and began assuring audiences—primarily via Persian-language media—that a U.S.-enabled return to power was imminent.
Manufactured Stardom
But Pahlavi’s fame isn’t rooted in democratic legitimacy—it’s a constructed brand. Far from building grassroots support, he’s become a media-backed icon, propped up by exile TV stations funded by actors in Washington, Riyadh, and Jerusalem. Disinformation campaigns and troll operations pushed him into view, distancing him further from Iran’s real pro-democracy activists.
Undermining Genuine Dissent
Ironically, Pahlavi’s rise undermines actual Iranian-led democratic movements. Rather than uplifting the voices of people demanding “Woman, Life, Freedom,” these networks amplify a monarchist who enjoys no real support among them—but who provides a palatable face for foreign powers eager for regime change.
What This Means for Us
For Arab and Iranian communities engaged in struggles for justice, Our Man for Tehran is a stark reminder: we must remain vigilant against narratives that weaponize charismatic figures—especially when they serve outside interests more than our own. Democracy movements deserve to be led from within, not curated by external powers.
Note: All facts in this article are sourced from public records, verified news outlets, and publicly accessible social media posts. This article is intended for public awareness and journalistic inquiry, not legal accusation. For questions or corrections, please contact info@dearbornblog.com.
Dearborn Blog 