Saeid Golkar: Although protesters broadly demand political change, they remain divided over its nature. Some call for a secular republic; others advocate reforms within the existing system; and a growing segment supports a return to monarchy. This trend is visible in chants such as “Javid Shah,” “Reza Shah, may your soul be blessed,” and “This is the final battle, Pahlavi will return.” These slogans, heard in cities such as Arak, Rasht, and Khorramabad, reflect renewed symbolic support for the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has publicly endorsed the protest movement and urged unity, including appeals to the security forces to defect.
Yet this diversity of visions weakens collective action. The regime exploits these divisions through a deliberate strategy of divide and rule, ensuring that no single movement or figure can consolidate sufficient support. By controlling narratives and amplifying internal disagreements, the state prevents the emergence of a unified opposition capable of challenging its authority…