The protests in Iran are testing the influence of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, while calls for change shake the regime in Tehran.

The recent protests in Iran marked an important test for the influence of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, who was ousted in 1979. Thousands of people took to the streets, chanting slogans against the regime and expressing their support for the monarchy, a risky thing in the past.

Pahlavi, in exile, thanked President Trump for his support and called on international leaders to act in favor of the freedom of Iranians, in the context where the regime has cut communications to limit protests.

The protests began due to the economic crisis, quickly spreading throughout the country, and the authorities responded with violence, causing dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests. Pahlavi, who does not want the automatic restoration of the monarchy, has called for a referendum on the future of Iran, thus gaining increased visibility among dissidents.