ARD Investigation Exposes Violent Campaign by Supporters of the Son of Iran’s Ousted Shah

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  Written by Farid Mahoutchi In light of mounting global exposure by major media outlets—including The Guardian , Politico , the Atlantic and Le Monde —documenting the aggressive and coercive tactics of his loyalists, the political ambitions of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s ousted monarchial dictatorship, are coming under intense scrutiny. Adding to this international chorus, an investigative report by the German ARD television program Kontraste , broadcast on May 28, 2026, reveals a disturbing pattern of physical violence, severe threats, and systematic harassment orchestrated by Pahlavi’s supporters against journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents. While Pahlavi attempts to position himself as the potential leader of a transitional government and a beacon for a “free and democratic Iran,” critics increasingly question his democratic legitimacy and his failure to curb his radical base . Intimidation of the Press and Human Rights Defenders According to the re...
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Protests Following the Passing of Renowned Iranian Singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian

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By Mansoureh Galestan

Renowned Iranian singer Mohammad-Reza Shajarian passed away on Thursday. His death is a great loss for Iranian art and music. When the news of his passing spread, protests erupted in Tehran.

Regarding Mr. Shajarian death, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said: “My condolences to the Iranian people, to Iran’s arts community, and to Mr. Shajarian’s family and friends on the passing of one of Iran’s greatest artists. Shajarian’s brilliant work and record are everlasting and among the most precious treasures of our national art. The ruling mullahs’ restrictions and pressures have not and will never undermine his status and his enormous contributions to Iran’s art and music scene, particularly the art of singing. Without a doubt, Iran’s arts community and those who care about Iran’s music will build upon his contributions, teachings, and unique innovations as never before and will add to Iran’s unrivaled treasures of arts and culture. Mr. Shajarian’s vocals have been warmly received in the hearts of millions of Iranians for several generations and cannot be extinguished.”

Mr. Shajarian repeatedly and openly said in many of his interviews that he faced a dictatorial regime, which sought to force him into repenting and surrendering, and that he was not prepared to accept it.

In April 2015, in a ceremony in honor of the legendary Iranian poet Hafez, Mr. Shajarian responded to the audience who encouraged him to sing by saying, “I live in a country where for the past several years I have been prohibited from singing for my own people.”
The Iranian regime banned Mr. Shajarian from holding any concerts since 2009, when he defended protesters who poured onto the streets following the regime’s sham Presidential elections. The regime’s state TV also stopped playing his popular Ramadan prayer “Rabanna” and other songs.

Angry protesters, while honoring the memory of the Master of Persian traditional music, chanted slogans against the regime. Videos from Iran show people chanting “The state television and radio is a disgrace,” and “death to the dictator.”

Security forces attacked the mourners and tried to disperse the crowd. At the same time Iranian regime limited internet bandwidth as the gatherings took place, but short video clips of the protests were posted in social media.


  • This article was first published by ncr-iran

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