Part 3/13:
The idea of reinstating the monarchy is gaining quiet traction among some Iranians. The Shah’s era is viewed by many as a time of economic growth, Western engagement, and greater personal freedoms – especially for women. This retrograde appeal contrasts starkly with the current hardships under the Islamic Republic: economic stagnation, repression, and international isolation. Still, reviving the monarchy isn’t straightforward. The shadow of past corruption, inequality, and brutal political repression by the Shah’s regime remains vivid in collective memory and fuels skepticism.