Introduction    

In Iran’s turbulent political landscape, particularly following the nationwide uprising of 2022 (1401 in the Persian calendar), numerous initiatives have emerged among the diaspora opposition. Amid this, Reza Pahlavi has sought—by leveraging historical legacy and media campaigns—to position himself as the central pivot for the transition period beyond the Islamic Republic. However, close scrutiny of his activities by political analysts and international observers reveals a significant gap between his “media image” and “on-the-ground realities.” This article critically examines the claim of his widespread popularity, the phenomenon of “public opinion engineering” in digital spaces, and concerning reports from credible international institutions regarding the nature of his cyber supporters.

  Constructed Reality and Content Engineering (Fabricated Reality)    

One of the core pillars of Reza Pahlavi’s media team’s strategy is the use of digital platforms to create a form of “virtual hegemony.” In recent months, cyberspace has been flooded with widely circulated clips purporting to reflect the Iranian people’s general desire for the restoration of the monarchy. Yet technical fact-checks reveal that a significant portion of this content lacks temporal or locational authenticity: the use of archival footage, manipulated dubbing, and videos recorded in isolated environments are common techniques in these campaigns.

This approach, which can be termed “artificial amplification,” pursues two main objectives: first, influencing the calculations of Western policymakers; and second, distorting public perception away from genuine alternatives. This exclusivist strategy stands in stark contrast to the pluralistic nature of the “Death to the Oppressor, Be It Shah or Supreme Leader” movement, which emphasizes transcending all forms of despotism and moving toward a modern future—rather than reverting to past political models.

  Structural Critique: From Delegation to Power Concentration    

Beyond media controversies, Reza Pahlavi’s political manifesto and proposed model face serious criticism in political philosophy. While his rhetoric is laced with democratic concepts, the political conduct and structure of his support base reveal tendencies toward “authoritarian centralization.”

The “I Delegate” campaign was a prime example, reducing citizens’ political agency to the wholesale delegation of authority to a single individual. Critics argue that relying on “hereditary charisma” instead of meritocracy and democratic oversight reproduces unaccountable structures. In the framework of modern democracy, legitimacy arises from the ballot box and civil institutions—not from genetics or nostalgia. Moreover, the aggressive behavior of his more extreme supporters toward any criticism serves as a warning sign for freedom of expression in any hypothetical future under this movement’s influence.

  Cyber Army and International Reports: The Astroturfing Phenomenon    

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this affair lies in investigative findings from reputable outlets such as the   Financial Times   and   Tortoise Media  , which have exposed the phenomenon known as “Astroturfing,” or manufactured grassroots support.

Research indicates that a massive volume of supportive traffic on Twitter (now X) and Instagram is generated not by real (organic) users, but by organized networks of bots and fake accounts. Even more striking in these reports is the hypothesis of “converging interests”—or even involvement by the Islamic Republic’s security services in these networks. Analysts believe that the regime’s intelligence apparatus, by artificially boosting this extremist faction, pursues two strategies:

1.   False Polarization: Creating divisions and exhausting infighting among pro-democracy opposition forces. 

2.   Strategic Fearmongering  : Turning Reza Pahlavi and the monarchist current into a symbol of “return to despotism,” thereby frightening the gray middle class and deterring them from supporting radical change.

  Conclusion    

A critical analysis of Reza Pahlavi’s political actions and the propaganda ecosystem surrounding him reveals a profound disconnect between the “constructed virtual reality” and Iran’s actual political requirements. Reliance on unsubstantiated propaganda and the illusion of majority support may yield short-term media gains, but in the long run, it erodes social capital and breeds public disillusionment. Reports from the Financial Times and others underscore the need for civil society to remain vigilant against populist and opaque currents. A successful democratic transition demands transparency, pluralism, and genuine citizen participation—not a return to individual-centered models or dependence on suspicious cyber armies.