Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran's overthrown shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has taken on the role as leader for a future transitional government in Iran over the past year, according to official sources. His leadership is controversial because his family's rule was an authoritarian monarchy that heavily restricted political opposition and freedom of press and speech, according to many historians. Iran's former security service SAVAK has been accused of imprisoning and torturing dissidents, according to official sources. Pahlavi's expected speech in parliament on Monday was confirmed by Christian Democrat and Sweden Democrat representatives Magnus Berntsson and Nima Gholam Ali Pour.
Historically, the Pahlavi family's rule ended with the 1979 overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who governed with an iron fist. The legacy includes allegations of widespread repression under SAVAK, which official sources say imprisoned and tortured dissidents. This authoritarian past continues to shape perceptions of Reza Pahlavi's political ambitions today.
I hope to get Swedish politicians more engaged in the war against the Iranian regime during my visit to Sweden.
Reza Pahlavi lives in the U.S. and has for decades been part of the Iranian opposition, advocating non-violent resistance and secular democracy. He is one of the current regime's most prominent critics in exile and has become a central opposition figure in the Iranian diaspora, with supporters carrying his image and Iran's pre-revolutionary flag at protests, according to research. According to SVT Nyheter, Reza Pahlavi described his plan to create conditions for a democratic transition within two to three years so the people can choose their path in a secular democracy.
His reception in Sweden is cool, with only the Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats welcoming him, according to major media. Among Swedish Iranians, there are mixed feelings about his father's regime, with some nostalgic for modernization and stability, others remembering oppression and lack of political rights, according to major media. Reza Pahlavi's upcoming Sweden visit is sparking internal criticism within the bourgeois parties, according to major media. According to Svenska Dagbladet, Carl-Vincent Reimers described questioning why a government party is inviting the son of a deposed dictator.
Sweden is reportedly directly threatened by the Iranian regime, so it should understand it cannot stay out of this conflict.
Security preparations are extensive, with up to 170 police officers deployed for Reza Pahlavi's visit, a threat level compared to Zelenskyy's visit, according to sources with insight. Reza Pahlavi landed at Arlanda on Sunday morning, according to major media. A police helicopter circled the airport before landing, and he was escorted by a police convoy and helicopter after arrival, according to major media. About 30 escort police and 140 additional police will guard specific locations, according to a source.
Police have granted permits for three demonstrations: two at Gustaf Adolfs torg and one in Kungsträdgården, according to police. Organizers expect over 12,000 participants in the demonstrations, according to organizers. Police expect 10,000 people may gather in central Stockholm for demonstrations, according to P4 Stockholm. Police say there will be no street closures, only possible short stops due to escorts, according to Carina Skagerlind.
Sweden can take measures like expelling Iranian diplomats and supporting the Iranian diaspora without becoming a party to a military conflict.
Parliament arrangements include Nima Gholam Ali Pour suggesting a video call, but Reza Pahlavi wanted to come physically, according to Nima Gholam Ali Pour. The plan is for Pahlavi to give a 30-minute speech about his political vision for Iran's future, according to Nima Gholam Ali Pour. All parliament members are invited to Pahlavi's speech, according to major media. Parliament is closed to visitors on Sunday due to preparations for the visit, according to the parliament press secretary.
Swedish security assessment indicates Säpo has determined that Iran's regime operates in Sweden through criminal proxies and supplies drones to Russia for the war in Ukraine, according to Säpo. Säpo states Sweden has a serious security situation, with a pronounced threat against Sweden being used as an arena, due to events in the Middle East, according to Karl Melin. Säpo works closely with police during the visit, according to Säpo.
My plan is to create conditions for a democratic transition within two to three years so the people can choose their path in a secular democracy.
Pahlavi's CPAC appearance saw him as one of the main speakers at the Cpac conference in the U.S., according to research. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah of Iran, spoke at CPAC in Texas on Saturday, according to research. During Reza Pahlavi's speech, some in the audience chanted support for the monarchy, according to research.
The U.S.-Iran war context includes Reza Pahlavi's remarks coming on the one-month anniversary of the U.S. and Israel's decision to launch a war against Iran, according to research. As the conflict enters its second month, at least 1,937 people in Iran have been killed, and tens of thousands more injured, with no end to the fighting in sight, according to research. Analysts have warned that the Iranian government is not likely to collapse and could emerge from the conflict more hardened, according to analysts.
Many who opposed my father now support me, including those from the left who were most antagonistic.
Domestic protest impact includes protests in January growing after Reza Pahlavi called for mass mobilization on January 8, with millions taking to the streets, according to major media. Internet access in Iran has been partially or completely restricted since the protests, according to major media. Tens of thousands of people were killed in 48 hours during a brutal crackdown on protesters, according to major media. According to Aftonbladet, Reza Pahlavi described the regime restricting internet because they know how organized his movement is.
Public opinion shows a GAMAAN survey from September 2025 found nearly half of respondents partly or fully support Pahlavi's leadership during a transition period, according to GAMAAN. Reza Pahlavi was highlighted as a possible future leader during protests in December, according to major media. Not all exile Iranians see Pahlavi as a unifying force; critics say he lacks support inside Iran and hasn't distanced enough from his father's authoritarian rule, according to critics.
I am proud of my heritage and what was achieved during my father's time, citing improvements in women's situation and other aspects.
U.S. political divisions over the Iran war were in evidence at CPAC, with disagreements among conservatives over Trump's war with Iran, according to research. Polls suggest the war is widely unpopular among U.S. voters overall, but Republicans support it by large margins, according to polls. In a Pew Research Center poll, 71% of Republican voters felt the U.S. had made the right decision to attack Iran, while overall 59% of voters opposed the initial strikes, according to polling. According to SVT Nyheter, Reza Pahlavi described urging President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with Iran and instead seek regime change.
Criticism of exile support for war includes some exiles being criticised for lending their voices to support the US-Israeli war despite the heavy toll on Iranian civilians, according to research. Recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows Trump risks frustrating his voters if gas prices continue rising during a prolonged war in the Middle East, according to polling.
Reza Pahlavi feels very good and is the person who can unite the opposition in Iran.
CPAC dynamics saw President Donald Trump not attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, for the first time in nearly a decade, according to research. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) revolved around President Donald Trump even in his absence, according to research. There was pride among conservatives at CPAC over Trump's immigration crackdown, according to research. Speakers at CPAC encouraged unity to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election, according to research.
Implications and unknowns remain regarding the specific measures, beyond expelling diplomats, that Reza Pahlavi proposes for Sweden to support the Iranian opposition. The exact nature of the security threats that prompted such a high police presence during Pahlavi's visit to Sweden is unclear. It is unknown whether Reza Pahlavi's speech in the Swedish parliament will lead to any concrete policy changes or actions by Swedish political parties. The current status of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, including recent developments and casualty updates beyond the one-month mark, has not been detailed. How much internal support Reza Pahlavi actually has within Iran, as opposed to among the diaspora, remains uncertain.
There is a large Iranian diaspora in Sweden that wants to see democratic rule, so contact with democratic forces in Iran is important.
The Islamic Republic is a threat to both the Iranian people and Sweden.
I call on the Swedish government to do more, including expelling Iran's ambassador and preparing to cooperate with a transitional government.
The regime restricts internet because they know how organized my movement is.
I am prepared to sacrifice my life for Iran's freedom.
Why is a government party inviting the son of a deposed dictator?
I urge President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with Iran and instead seek regime change.
Can you imagine Iran going from 'Death to America' to 'God Bless America'?
President Trump is making America great again. I intend to make Iran great again.
This regime in its entirety must go.