Designated Crown Prince of Iran during the 1967 coronation of his father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the subject transitioned from a life of royal expectation in Tehran to a long-term role as a political activist in exile. He currently operates from the United States, maintaining a public profile that blends political advocacy with his background as a trained aircraft pilot.
Early Life and Pilot Training
Born in 1960, he spent his youth within the royal court structure of Pahlavi Iran. His formal education included time at the Reza Pahlavi School, an institution located within the palace grounds. He demonstrated an early interest in aviation, completing his first solo flight at age 11 and securing his pilot license by age 12. In 1978, he moved to the United States to participate in a one-year pilot training program at Reese Air Force Base in Texas, where he flew the Cessna T-37 Tweet and the Northrop T-38 Talon. He departed the program in March 1979 as the Islamic Revolution reshaped Iran.
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Following the death of his father in Cairo in 1980, he asserted his claim to the throne, adopting the title Reza Shah II on his 20th birthday. While he sought to organize opposition to the new government, the United States Department of State explicitly disassociated itself from his claim. He pursued higher education during this period, enrolling at Williams College and later the American University in Cairo. In 1985, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Southern California through correspondence.
Advocacy and Contemporary Role
He remains an active voice in opposition politics, having co-founded the Iran National Council in 2013. His advocacy focuses on the potential for a nationwide referendum to determine the future system of government for Iran. In his written work, specifically 'Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iran', he outlines his vision for the country. Throughout his career, he has engaged in various roles including writer, human rights defender, and amateur photographer, positioning himself as a candidate for leadership in a potential post-revolutionary Iran.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Tehran
- Citizenship: Pahlavi Iran
- Education: University of Southern California, Williams College, The American University in Cairo
- Notable Work: Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iran
- Religion: Twelver Shiism
- Languages: English, French, Persian
- Award: Architect of Peace Award (2024)
- Position: Crown Prince (1980)
Questions readers ask
What is his professional background outside of politics?
He is a trained aircraft pilot who began flight training at a young age and continued his studies in the United States.
Does he maintain a formal political position?
He is a political activist and dissident who declared himself the rightful successor to the throne in 1980 but holds no official government office.
Achievements
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic — 1974
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Notable work: Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iran
- Educated at University of Southern California, Williams College and The American University in Cairo
- Worked as politician, human rights defender and aircraft pilot
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