Decades-Old Schism Shadows Iran's Path to Change

Intense protests in Iran spotlight divisions within opposition factions like monarchists and the Mujahedin-e Khalq. The 1979 schism hampers unified opposition. Analysts question support for these factions inside Iran, although faith among the diaspora remains strong. International approaches are complicated without a central opposition figure.

The recent surge in protests across Iran has energized oppositional factions abroad, yet deep-seated rifts stemming from pre-1979 divide the monarchists and the Mujahedin-e Khalq. The split has manifested in online altercations and diasporic streets in the West. Analysts remain skeptical about their actual influence within Iran, perceiving heightened popularity only among exiles.

Prominent among the overseas opposition are monarchists rallying for Reza Pahlavi, while others remain wary of aligning with either camp. International perspectives remain flummoxed by the absence of a cohesive opposition figurehead, exacerbating the chaos of Iran's internal strife.

Notably, skepticism surrounds Pahlavi's domestic legitimacy amid protests invoking his name. The Iranian populace, educated and urbanized, faces limited choice amidst the historical remnants of monarchy, revolutionary visions, and theocratic rule. The evolving aspirations of local movements challenge the diaspora-driven narrative, seeking transformative change beyond nostalgic allegiances.