Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, has positioned himself as a leading opposition figure during the 2025–2026 protests, repeatedly urging demonstrators to sustain pressure on the Islamic Republic and outlining plans for a transitional government. In March 2026 statements, he indicated readiness to return to a "liberated area" as soon as conditions permit, even prior to full regime collapse, citing potential to encourage defections. Recent months have featured continued unrest that weakened the regime's internal grip while its security apparatus remained intact, alongside Pahlavi's European and U.S. engagements seeking diplomatic support. Key variables include the pace of any further protest escalation, emergence of safe zones inside Iran, and shifts in regime cohesion or external pressures that could alter entry feasibility before scheduled resolution dates.