The Shah's crown prince visits the "enemy" of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Reza Pahlavi announced in a statement published on Twitter on Sunday that he was going to Israel on Monday (April 17th) to "renew old ties" between the two countries and "convey a message of peace and friendship from the Iranian people".

"Millions of my compatriots still remember living alongside their Iranian Jewish friends and neighbors before the Islamic revolution tore through the fabric of our society," said Yom Hashoah, the son of the Shah of Iran, who will participate in Holocaust commemorations. "I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people. The old ties between our peoples can be renewed for the benefit of our two nations. I am going to Israel to play my part in building this bright future," he wrote.

Reza Pahlavi, although in exile for forty-three years in the United States, wants to position himself as a legitimate spokesperson in the eyes of part of the protest movement underway since September 2022 in Iran.

In recent months, he has been making many international trips – including a European tour in recent weeks. This visit comes as Israel multiplies actions to counter the Iranian nuclear program and has recently attacked several targets in Syria and Lebanon, linked to the Iranian power. It could, however, represent "a part of political risk" for Reza Pahlavi, while the structuring of the Iranian opposition movement is only in its infancy, as Thierry Coville, a researcher at Iris and a specialist in Iran, explains.

France 24: What is the symbolic significance of the visit of the son of the Shah of Iran to Israel?

Thierry Coville: This is an important visit for two main reasons. There has been a protest movement in Iran since September 2022, and the Iranian opposition has never been so united and the son of the shah is part of the committee of several people responsible for organizing this opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Moreover, Israel is the enemy of the Islamic Republic of Iran – which completely changed its policy towards the Jewish state during the revolution in 1979, while the two countries had diplomatic relations during the time of the shah (who reigned between 1941 and 1979, editor's note). From this point of view, the fact that the son is visiting Israel is anything but anecdotal.

After that, you have to be careful. The Iranian opposition outside Iran is still in its infancy. It has never been so united, but on the other hand it is only the beginnings of an attempt to represent a political alternative. That is part of its strategy to have the broadest possible international support. The shah's son visited the French and British Parliaments in February, the European and Belgian Parliaments in March... So there is a logic for Reza Pahlavi to go to Israel.

How is this visit a risky political gamble for Reza Pahlavi?

There is criticism in the Iranian opposition about the legitimacy of Reza Pahlavi. A lot of people were opponents of the Pahlavi monarchy. A number of people do not accept the view of the followers of the son of the shah – who would like to have a leading role in this opposition.

Reza Pahlavi poses somewhere as the leader of this opposition movement, he shows his opposition to the Islamic Republic by going to Israel. At the same time, the leading role of the movement he represents is being challenged from within by some. There is therefore an element of political risk in this visit.

>> READ ALSO: Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah, legitimate spokesman of the protest movement in Iran?

Can this move lead to disunity in the Iranian opposition, some of which see in it a mouthpiece of anti-Islamic Republic demands?

From the moment there are already these tensions, what can turn some people is the leadership role that the son of the shah is trying to take. This could increase tensions. The question of which movement should be the leader (of the Iranian opposition, editor's note) will continue to arise after Reza Pahlavi's visit to Israel. It is still early to say that this movement can disunite.

Currently, the Iranian population has a real balance of power with the Islamic Republic. Reza Pahlavi's visit to Israel will not change much in this perspective. In the street, one hears slogans in favor of the Pahlavi monarchy, but this is more a way of opposing the Islamic Republic of Iran than of wanting a restoration of the monarchy.

What is the ultimate goal of the Crown Prince of Iran with this trip?

It is an attempt to legitimize opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran by travelling abroad to meet with the leaders of the international community. Where it could be a problem, is why him? He seized the banner of representative of this opposition.

The fact that Reza Pahlavi is undertaking such a symbolic trip to the Jewish state of his own, and given the history and relations between Iran and Israel before and after the revolution, is indeed a way for him to pose as a leader of this movement. Even if the question of who should be at the head of the movement still arises, the son of the shah seems to say that it is him.

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app