Shah Shame: Iranian People REJECT Reza Pahlavi; His Father led the Monarchy that Birthed the Current Regime
As protests intensify across Iran and the regime responds with escalating violence, two opposition figures are most often discussed in connection with Iran’s future leadership—but only one represents a fully organized political structure capable of overseeing a democratic transition.
In Western media, particularly in the United States, coverage has largely focused on Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah. His visibility and familiarity make him a recognizable figure for American audiences. However, Pahlavi has acknowledged that he has not lived in Iran since 1978 and does not lead an organized political apparatus inside or outside the country. Among many Iranians, support for a return to monarchy remains deeply contested, as it evokes memories of authoritarian rule that predate the current regime.
NCRI Speakers Available (Bios below):
Mrs. Shirin Nariman: Former Political Prisoner in Iran
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad: Iranian American
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian: Iranian American
Alireza Jafarzadeh: Deputy Director of NCRI
By contrast, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), heads what is widely regarded by Iranian dissidents and many international observers as the only fully formed, organized political coalition prepared to manage a post-regime transition.
According to estimates released by the NCRI, more than 3,000 Iranians have been killed in just the past couple of weeks during nationwide protests and security crackdowns. The organization argues that widespread internet shutdowns, intimidation of families, and restricted access for journalists mean the true death toll is likely far higher than currently reported in Western media—underscoring the urgency of identifying a credible transition mechanism.
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While Reza Pahlavi recently stated in a Fox Business interview that a transition could take “a few years” before free elections, many Iranian activists warn that prolonged interim periods historically allow unelected leaders to entrench themselves, often resulting in renewed authoritarian rule.
The NCRI presents a sharply different and time-bound framework. Since the 1979 revolution, more than 120,000 members and supporters of the NCRI/MEK have been executed or killed by the ruling regime, according to long-documented human-rights reports. Under Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, the NCRI has publicly committed to:
Overseeing a clearly defined, temporary transition period
Holding free, internationally monitored elections within six months
Allowing the Iranian people themselves to choose their future system of government Establishing a non-nuclear Iran, including turning over all nuclear materials to international oversight following a democratic transition.
Notably, the NCRI was the first organization to expose Iran’s clandestine uranium enrichment facilities, disclosures that later prompted decisive U.S. and international action against Iran’s nuclear program. That track record has reinforced its credibility among policymakers as an organization capable of governance, not merely protest.
Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, funding proxy militias across the Middle East while violently suppressing its own population. For many Iranians risking their lives in the streets, regime change is no longer theoretical—it is urgent. The central question is no longer who is most recognizable abroad, but who possesses the structure, discipline, and legitimacy to prevent a power vacuum and deliver free elections quickly.
Several senior NCRI spokespersons are available immediately for interviews, offering firsthand insight into the protest movement, the estimated human toll, and the practical mechanics of a rapid democratic transition.
NCRI representatives can address:
- Why protest-related deaths may be far higher than currently reported
- Why prolonged transitional rule is viewed as a threat to democracy
- Why six months to free elections is considered essential, not reckless
- Why the NCRI is uniquely positioned as an organized transitional authority, not a permanent ruling body
This is not about endorsing a future government. It is about accurately informing audiences of the only existing, organized pathway currently articulated for a rapid democratic transition in a nation of roughly 93 million people.
ABOUT DR. RAMESH SEPEHRRAD…
Born in Shiraz, Iran, Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad is a leading Iranian American scholar, published author, cybersecurity executive, and human rights advocate, known for her tireless efforts to advance a non-nuclear, secular, and democratic republic in Iran. Her commitment to justice in Iran is deeply personal. As Chair of the Advisory Board of the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), she plays a pivotal role in bipartisan majority of congressional advocacy, including support for various house resolutions, which endorses the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan.
ABOUT DR. KAZEM KAZEROUNIAN…
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut and served as Dean of the College of Engineering from 2012 to 2024.
A passionate advocate for democracy and human rights, Dr. Kazerounian is also an expert on Iran and the Middle East, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, and human rights situation in Iran. He has contributed widely through scholarly articles, invited talks, and media interviews on regional affairs and the democratic movement in Iran.
Nationally, he has held leadership roles with ASEE and ASME, shaping engineering policy and education. His honors include the ASME Mechanisms and Robotics Award, AIMBE Fellowship, and induction into the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering.
An ASME Fellow, his research spans kinematics, robotics, and biomechanics. He has authored over 160 scholarly works and co-founded AcademicKeys.com and AcademicJournal.com, a professional platform and an online journal for academics.
ABOUT SHIRIN NARIMAN…
Shirin Nariman is a former political prisoner from Iran, human rights advocate, and entrepreneur.
At just 15 years old, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she became involved in pro-democracy activities and supported the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). Less than two years later, she was arrested for her activism—becoming one of the youngest political prisoners of her time and enduring severe torture in Evin Prison. Her case drew international attention and intervention from the Red Cross.
During her imprisonment, Shirin witnessed the regime’s brutality firsthand, including the executions of children, elderly women, and pregnant prisoners. After her release, she eventually sought refuge in the United States, where she has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights, women’s rights, and a free, democratic, non-nuclear Iran.
Shirin holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and has worked with leading wireless and financial corporations.
ABOUT ALIREZA JAFARZADEH…
Alireza Jafarzadeh serves as the Deputy Director of the Washington Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). He is also the author of The Iran Threat (Palgrave MacMillan, New York, 2008).
A recognized expert on Iranian policy, Jafarzadeh has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. His groundbreaking work in 2002 and 2003 led to the discovery of key illicit nuclear sites in Iran, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the Arak heavy water plant, the Kalaye Electric centrifuge testing facility near Tehran, and the Lashkar Ab’ad laser enrichment facility. These revelations prompted the first-ever inspections of Iranian nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Jafarzadeh is a frequent guest on major television and radio networks, including CBS Evening News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and France 24. His insights have also been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Time, and The Hill.
CONTACT:
Jerry McGlothlin
Special Guests Publicity
jerry@specialguests.com
919-437-000
This material is distributed by Special Guests Publicity LLC on behalf of National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) / Media Strategy Consulting LTD. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
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