By Mathew Carr
Former Shah’s son ramps up calls for secular democracy in Iran
Grok Reza Pahlavi is the 65-year-old eldest son of Iran’s last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, deposed in the 1979 revolution. Exiled since age 17, he has advocated for decades for a secular, democratic Iran through non-violent regime change and national unity.
He does not claim a hereditary right to rule. In Nov 2024 he declared readiness to lead a transitional period to democracy if Iranians call for it, via referendum to let the people choose the system (republic or constitutional monarchy). Supporters see him as a unifying symbol; critics question his exile status and ties to the past monarchy.
Ultimately, any mandate would/should come from Iranians themselves — why isn’t Iran allowed a nuclear deterrent?
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