Monarchists Celebrate Deadly Attacks on Iran, Rooted in Racist Ideology

Aryan race theory from 19th century academics fuels Iranian diaspora's lack of solidarity with victims

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A recent attack by the U.S. that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and 168 schoolgirls has sparked celebrations from some members of the Iranian diaspora, particularly those who support a return to monarchism in Iran. This reaction is rooted in the racist Aryan race theory promoted by 19th century European academics like Gobineau, which was later embraced by Iranian intellectuals like Akhundzadeh and Kermani. This ideology portrays Iranians as a superior Aryan race distinct from and opposed to Arabs, leading some Iranians abroad to see their compatriots back home as impure and unworthy of solidarity, even in the face of such tragic events.

Why it matters

The embrace of Aryan race theory by some in the Iranian diaspora highlights how academic ideas can become weaponized to divide people along racial lines, even within the same national group. This ideology has fueled a lack of empathy and solidarity among Iranians, mirroring the dehumanization of Palestinians by some Israeli Jews. Understanding the historical roots of these divisive ideas is crucial to challenging them and promoting unity.

The details

In the wake of the U.S. attack that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and 168 schoolgirls, some members of the Iranian diaspora, particularly those supporting a return to monarchism, were seen celebrating the deaths on social media. This reaction is traced back to the Aryan race theory promoted by 19th century European academics like Gobineau, Schlegel, and Renan, which portrayed Iranians as a superior Aryan race distinct from and opposed to Arabs. Iranian intellectuals like Akhundzadeh and Kermani later embraced this ideology, dehumanizing Arabs and implying Iranians should seek revenge. This racist framework was then further disseminated in Iran through Nazi-sponsored journals in the 1930s, laying the groundwork for the current monarchist celebrations of attacks on their own countrymen.

  • In the summer of 1975, the U.S. assassinated Iran's Supreme Leader and murdered 168 schoolgirls in class.
  • In the days following the attack, some members of the Iranian diaspora, particularly monarchists, were seen celebrating the deaths on social media.

The players

Aryan race theory

A racist ideology promoted by 19th century European academics like Gobineau, Schlegel, and Renan, which portrayed Iranians as a superior Aryan race distinct from and opposed to Arabs.

Fath'ali Akhundzadeh

An Iranian playwright who in the 1860s argued that Arabs were to blame for Iran's problems and mocked Islamic traditions, laying the groundwork for Aryan race theory in Iran.

Mirza Aqa Khan Kermani

An Iranian intellectual who in the 1890s built on Akhundzadeh's ideas, dehumanizing Arabs and implying Iranians should seek revenge against them.

Reza Shah Pahlavi

The Cossack officer who came to power in a 1921 coup in Iran and became a patron of the Aryan race theory, allowing it to be widely disseminated.

Nazi Germany

The regime that in the 1930s sponsored a number of journals in Iran to further cultivate racist tendencies and promote the idea of a common Aryan ancestry between Germans and Iranians.

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What they’re saying

“Imprisoned as all Semitic people are in the narrow circle of lyricism and prophetism, the inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula never had the slightest idea of what can be called science or rationalism.”

— Ernest Renan, French Orientalist (1852)

“The white race originally possessed the monopoly of beauty, intelligence, and strength. By its union with other varieties, hybrids were created, which were beautiful without strength, strong without intelligence, or if intelligent, both weak and ugly.”

— Arthur de Gobineau, Author of 'Essay on the Inequality of Human Races' (1855)

What’s next

The U.S. government has not indicated any plans to hold those responsible for the attack accountable, raising concerns about impunity for such acts of violence.

The takeaway

The celebrations of the deadly attack on Iran by some in the Iranian diaspora reveal how racist ideologies like Aryan race theory can dehumanize one's own people, undermining empathy and solidarity even in the face of tragedy. Challenging these divisive academic ideas is crucial to promoting unity and shared humanity.