In an article published on June 8, the Norwegian newspaper Fædrelandsvennen sought to draw public attention to a different issue—one that, in its view, represents the reality of Iran today more than any other event: the “gallows.”
At the beginning of the article, the author refers to years of work and contact with Iranian refugees and activists. These are individuals who, after leaving Iran, now live in Norway but still carry memories of interrogations, imprisonment, and security pressures. According to the author, many of them continue to live with the psychological effects of years of repression, and their experiences show that Iran’s regime has not only targeted human lives but has also sought to destroy hope and the future.
In the article, the author refers to a ceremony in Oslo where Noor Pahlavi, granddaughter of the ousted shah, was welcomed by attendees. The event received media coverage and included discussion of the legacy and continuity of the Pahlavi family. However, the author argues that while these images were being highlighted, another reality was unfolding in Iran—a reality that, according to the author, was overshadowed by media attention.
The Pahlavi Restoration: A Legacy of Torture and Revisionism
The Gallows and the Execution of Prisoners
The author notes that several prisoners were executed in Iran within just a few days. He refers to political prisoners who have faced the death penalty because of their demands for political and civil rights. In the author’s view, the gallows in Iranian cities is an image that should accompany any political narrative about the country’s future.
The article emphasizes that public attention should not be focused solely on well-known political figures or historical symbols, but should also be directed toward the situation of prisoners, civil activists, and individuals facing the threat of execution.
Criticism of the Monarchy Narrative as an Alternative
Another section of the article criticizes the view that presents the Pahlavi family as the natural future alternative for Iran. The author argues that Iran’s regime has, over the years, attempted to create the impression that the only available alternative to the current system is the restoration of the monarchy.
He argues that the prominence given to members of the Pahlavi family in Western media and political circles, while the gallows of the clerical regime remain active in Iran, can reinforce this perception. The author also notes that for part of Iranian society, the Pahlavi era is associated with memories of political repression and the activities of SAVAK, the former intelligence and security organization under the monarchy, and therefore cannot simply be equated with democracy.
Within this framework, the author raises questions about the political legitimacy of Reza Pahlavi. He asks what democratic mechanism has led to his being presented as a representative of the Iranian people and what election has conferred such a position upon him.
The Less-Heard Voices of the Opposition
In the final section, the author emphasizes the situation of thousands of political and civil activists who have opposed Iran’s regime over the past decades. These are individuals who have experienced imprisonment, torture, or even death by the gallows, yet whose names and stories have received little attention in international media.
He believes that Western countries, including Norway, have no responsibility to determine Iran’s future leaders. In his view, that choice must be made by the Iranian people. Nevertheless, media organizations and political institutions can decide which voices to amplify and which narratives to give greater opportunities to be heard.
At the conclusion of the article, the author stresses that the young people currently facing the risk of execution in Iran’s prisons are not seeking special recognition or celebration. They simply ask not to be forgotten and for their voices not to be lost amid political and media narratives.
By placing the “gallows” at the center of its narrative, the article seeks to redirect the attention of Western audiences from symbolic ceremonies and well-known political figures toward the human rights situation and executions in Iran. The author argues that the reality of Iran today is best understood through the fate of political prisoners, victims of repression, and families who continue to pay a heavy price for freedom and democracy.
