Allegation of ‘Popular Mobilization Forces’ Presence in Iran; Reza Pahlavi’s Harsh Attack on Ceding Country to Foreigners
The allegation of ‘Popular Mobilization Forces’ presence in Iran and Reza Pahlavi’s harsh attack have reignited the debate over surrendering the country to foreigners and the national sovereignty crisis.
Reza Pahlavi’s recent remarks regarding the presence of Popular Mobilization Forces in Iran have triggered a wave of reactions and analyses in Persian-language media and some international circles; a matter that, although not yet independently confirmed by credible international sources, has received attention within the framework of regional tensions and the role of paramilitary groups.
In these remarks, Reza Pahlavi, with an unprecedented harsh tone, has characterized the possible presence of these forces as a sign of ‘collapse of national sovereignty’ and stated: “The criminal terrorist Popular Mobilization Forces, under the Iraqi flag, have been stationed with the intention of spreading terror and massacre in the streets and squares of Iran, operating freely and chanting slogans. What the Ba’athist Saddam regime could not impose on Iran in eight years of war, the criminal Islamic regime has imposed on the Iranian nation today.”
He further described this situation as ‘the height of disgrace’ and emphasized: “This is the height of disgrace for an anti-Iranian system that has handed over the country to foreigners for its own survival. This is trampling on the pride of a nation and an open insult to the blood of defenders of the homeland in the eight-year war with Iraq.”
These remarks come at a time when the role of Iran-affiliated forces in the region, particularly in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, has always been one of the main focuses of international media reports such as Reuters and BBC. However, the claim of direct presence of Iraqi forces within Iran is a sensitive matter requiring careful examination that has not yet received broad official confirmation from independent sources.
Nevertheless, experts believe such statements should be analyzed within the broader context of regional developments. After years of conflicts in the Middle East, paramilitary groups like the Popular Mobilization Forces have become important players in security equations. These forces, which emerged following the rise of ISIS in Iraq, now play a complex role in regional politics and security.
In another part of his remarks, Reza Pahlavi poses sharp questions to Iran’s military forces: “Where is the Iranian army? Where are the veterans of the eight-year war with Iraq? Where has the dignity of the Iranian military gone that Iraqi terrorists have dominated the property, lives, and honor of Iranians from Khuzestan to Tehran.”
He has also called for the immediate withdrawal of these forces and emphasized: “The Popular Mobilization Forces and other Iraqi paramilitary groups are invading and occupying forces. They have no place in Iran. They must immediately be expelled from the sacred soil of Iran.”
These positions reflect the concerns of sections of opposition movements to the Islamic Republic regarding the expansion of proxy forces’ influence and the weakening of the concept of national sovereignty. At the same time, some international analysts warn that raising such claims in the absence of independent evidence could fuel domestic and regional tensions.
At a macro level, this debate returns to a fundamental question: where is the line between regional security cooperation and violation of national sovereignty? This is precisely the point where the government’s official narratives and the views of its critics sharply diverge.
Ultimately, whether or not these claims are verified, their presentation by a figure like Reza Pahlavi demonstrates the depth of political divisions and growing concerns about Iran’s future security and sovereignty, a matter that is likely to remain in focus in the coming months.
