WANA (Oct 29) – Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, spoke at a meeting in Toronto, Canada, about forming “small insurgent cells” and called on his supporters to be “ready for the final battle.” Analysts say these remarks signal a clear shift among monarchists from political activity toward an armed, violence-oriented approach.

 

Pahlavi, who in recent years had tried to present himself as a civil, nonviolent figure, this time insisted that “the era of shunning violence is over” and that opponents of the Islamic Republic must be “prepared for active resistance.” Many observers interpret this pivot as a dangerous regression toward the terrorist patterns of the 1980s.

 

In the days following the meeting, some of Pahlavi’s close associates wrote on X about being “ready for the ultimate uprising” and even hinted at collaboration with Israeli agents. One wrote: “There will be killing and slaughter, but if Israel doesn’t cooperate we have no way. Mossad commandos are in Tehran and maybe through them the overthrow plan will be executed.”

Reza Pahlavi's post on his X account:> “The final battle is near. You are Iran’s Eternal Guard; prepare and organize.”. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Reza Pahlavi’s post on his X account: “The final battle is near. You are Iran’s Eternal Guard; prepare and organize.”. Social Media / WANA News Agency

At the same time, a booklet titled “Iran’s Eternal Guard: A Guide to Getting Started” was circulated among monarchist supporters; it discusses “local organization” and forming small operational groups. Reza Pahlavi also wrote on his X account: “The final battle is near. You are Iran’s Eternal Guard; prepare and organize.”

 

Political observers in Tehran — and even some opposition activists abroad — have warned that this approach effectively erases the line between “political struggle” and “terrorist action,” bringing monarchists closer to repeating the failed experience of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), a group that became reviled in the 1980s for indiscriminate assassinations against the Iranian public.

Analysts say Pahlavi’s rhetoric in recent months — including the repeated use of keywords such as “final battle” and “insurgent cell” — closely resembles the language of extremist groups and some Israel-linked security networks. The close ties of certain monarchist figures to Zionist circles, particularly during the 12-day Gaza war, have also fueled speculation about external direction of these movements.

 

Security experts in Tehran believe the monarchists’ new project is part of a broader design by Tel Aviv to destabilize Iran — an effort that, like many previous plans, is likely to fail. They argue that Iranian society not only does not support indiscriminate violence and armed action, but historical experience shows such approaches tend to strengthen internal cohesion against foreign interference.

 

Reza Pahlavi, who for years sought to present himself as a symbol of a “democratic, nonviolent Iran,” has now, by calling for the formation of insurgent cells, effectively taken a step toward turning the monarchist current into a political-security network — a trajectory that could further darken the movement’s prospects in the eyes of the Iranian public.