The Islamic Republic in Iran is currently facing massive protests as hundreds of thousands (if not more) Iranians turn out into the streets with chants of “death to the dictator” and “we don’t want an Islamic Republic.”

The current protests are the biggest seen since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising swept the country. Protesters have also chanted “Javid Shah,” or “Long Live the King,” a rebuke to the Islamic theocracy which replaced Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Iran’s last reigning monarch.

Supporters of his son, Reza Pahlavi, claim that the pro-Pahlavi chants indicate an overwhelming signal that he is the “leader” of the possible revolution, a claim that is completely false.

Pahlavi may be the figurehead of the monarchists, but he does not represent the majority of the 92,000,000 people of Iran or the millions of Iranians in the diaspora. President Trump has been right to state that it would be inappropriate for him to meet with him as president, as Pahlavi has proven to be a divisive rather than unifying figure.

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