Iran stands at a pivotal moment, gripped by a nationwide uprising against the ruling Islamic Republic. This movement is not another chapter of revolutionary zeal. It is a reclamation, an effort by Iranians to restore a national identity suppressed for decades and to reassert the country’s rightful place in the world. This reawakening seeks to mend what the Islamic Republic has systematically dismantled over five decades – from Iran’s governing institutions to its standing in the international community. At its core is a demand for modern, democratic governance echoing the Pahlavi era, alongside the restoration of critical foreign relationships, including with Israel.
Despite nearly fifty years of relentless state-sponsored propaganda and hostility directed by the Islamic regime against Israel and the Jewish people, the underlying sentiments among many Iranians remain strikingly unchanged. In fact, this sustained campaign has inadvertently reinforced a deeper, more resilient affinity between Iranians and Israelis - a connection that is becoming increasingly rare in the current global climate.
This contrast was especially evident in the aftermath of October 7. While many universities and streets across the West resonated with pro-Hamas and anti-Israeli demonstrations, Iranians worldwide stood in solidarity with Israel. In gatherings large and small, they waved the pre-Islamic revolution lion-and-sun flag alongside Israel’s Star of David flag. This was not a mere principled stance, but an expression of shared anguish, and, for many, a sense of vindication as Israel acted against terrorist leadership.
This profound affinity with the Jewish people is deeply rooted in history, tracing back to the era of Cyrus the Great, who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity and facilitated the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. More recently, during the Second World War, Iran under Reza Shah Pahlavi became a haven for tens of thousands of Jewish refugees, including many from Poland. Countless others from neighboring countries, such as Iraq, also found safe passage through Iran, often en route to Israel. These historical acts of compassion and alliance underscore a shared heritage that transcends modern political divides.
Symbolizing this enduring connection, Reza Pahlavi, the grandson of Reza Shah Pahlavi, undertook a historic visit to Israel in April 2023. This momentous occasion reaffirmed the deep ties between Iranians and Jews and pointed toward an emerging era in which Iran and Israel could once again be envisioned not as adversaries, but as close partners and strategic allies. Reza Pahlavi has voiced his full support for the Abraham Accords and articulated a commitment to build upon them through what he terms the “Cyrus Accord.” This framework proposes a partnership between a free Iran, its Arab neighbors, and Israel, with the goal of fostering lasting peace, cooperation, and prosperity across the Middle East.
Iranians are rising not only to determine their own destiny, but to influence the future direction of the region. They understand that this moment, reinforced by the public support of key international leaders such as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presents a rare opportunity to realize their aspirations.
Iranians stand in solidarity with their Jewish brothers and sisters around the world and hope for reciprocal support in their struggle against the Islamic regime. I am confident that Jewish communities worldwide, alongside all freedom-loving people, will stand with Iranians who are risking everything to restore peace, friendship, and prosperity to the Middle East.
Shayan Arya is an Iranian-American political activist and one of the founders of The New Constitutionalist Party of Iran, currently serving as its Secretary General.
This op-ed is published in partnership with a coalition of organizations that fight antisemitism across the world. Read the previous article by Daniel Citone.