Javid Shah

This article is about a political slogan among the Iranian opposition. For the character in Ackley Bridge series 2, see Characters of Ackley Bridge § Javid Shah.

Official portrait of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1978

Javid Shah (Persian: جاوید شاه, lit. 'Long live the Shah') is a phrase in support of the monarchs of Iran. Since the Iranian Revolution, the phrase has also become a political slogan used by certain segments of the Iranian opposition, primarily monarchists, to demonstrate opposition to the Government of Iran by advocating for the resuscitation of the Pahlavi dynasty.^[1][2]

History

Early use

During Pahlavi Iran, the phrase "Javid Shah" was commonly used in official ceremonies and in public spaces. At the time, usage of the phrase was more a "psychological and social adaptation to the established order" rather than a sign of conscious political action.^[3]

After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the new revolutionary government banned all symbols of the Iranian monarchy, including the phrase "Javid Shah": violations risked arrest, torture, or even death. Owing to this, the phrase has become an act of opposition towards the government. A notable usage was from Mehdi Rahimi, who was a lieutenant general during the Pahlavi dynasty and was set to be executed by the Iranian government.^[4] Before being shot, he shouted "Javid Shah" in salute to express his loyalty to the Iranian monarchy.^[5] Since then, the phrase has become a form of "resistance and political protest".^[6][7]

Rise in popularity

During the 2019–2020 Iranian protests, there were increasing calls from certain protesters for the restoration of the Pahlavi dynasty.^[8] The slogan became more prominent during the Mahsa Amini protests among the Iranian opposition.^[9] Thereafter, during the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, this slogan resurged in popularity along with several other pro-Pahlavi slogans, such as "This is the final battle, Pahlavi will return" and "Reza Shah, May God bless your soul [fa]".^[10] There were several instances of the phrase being displayed in public places, including one in Isfahan^[11] and another in Qom.^[12]

References

1. Winston, Alex (1 January 2026). "'Javid Shah!' Why Iranians are calling for the return of the Pahlavis and their monarchy". The Jerusalem Post.
2. Qiblawi, Tamara (9 January 2026). "The son of Iran's last shah is rallying protesters. But do Iranians really want another king?". CNN.
3. "نکته به نکته ۵۰۴: «جاوید شاه»: دگردیسی یک سمبل از انطباق با قدرت تا مقاومت سیاسی" [Note to Note 504: "Javid Shah": The Metamorphosis of a Symbol from Compliance with Power to Political Resistance].
4. "Law And Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran" (PDF). Amnesty International. February 1980. Archived from the original (Report) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
5. Cyrus Kadivar. "General Rahimi". The Iranian. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
6. "تداوم خیزش ملّی در چهارشنبه سوری؛ از رقص و روسری‌سوزی تا شعار «جاوید شاه»: مردم مرعوب سرکوب‌ها نشده‌اند" [Continuation of the national uprising on Wednesday; from dancing and burning scarves to the slogan "Javid Shah": People are not intimidated by repression] (in Persian). Kayhan London.
7. "شعار جاویدشاه در اعتراض به حبس کارگران فولاد" [Javid shah's slogan in protest against the imprisonment of steel workers] (in Persian). Radio Farda.
8. "چه شد که ایرانیان از «یاحسین، میرحسین» به «پهلوی بر‌می‌گرده» رسیدند؟" [What happened that made Iranians go from "Yah Hossein, Mir Hossein" to "Pahlavi is returning"?]. Iran International.
9. "شعار «جاوید شاه» ایرانیان در لندن همزمان با حمایت از تروریستی‌نامیدن سپاه" [Iranians in London chant "Javid Shah" while supporting the IRGC's call for terrorism]. Voice of America Persian.
10. "فریاد خیابان از «رای من کو؟» تا «جاوید شاه»؛ راه آزادی به پهلوی رسید" [The cry of the street from "Where is my vote?" to "Javid Shah"; the path to freedom reached Pahlavi] (in Persian). Independent Persian.
11. "شعار «جاوید شاه» روی تابلوی خیابان در اصفهان" [The slogan "Javid Shah" on a street sign in Isfahan]. Iran International. 1 January 2026.
12. "شعار جاویدشاه به قم رسید" [The slogan of Javid Shah reached Qom]. Iran International.