Killing of Iranian Activist in Canada Exposes Divisions Within Diaspora

Threats and violence have increased tensions among Iranian exiles over the war and leadership of the country.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:05pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a cluttered desk with scattered papers, a laptop, and a framed photograph, conveying a sense of solitude and unease in the wake of a tragic event.The killing of an Iranian activist in Canada has exposed the growing divisions and tensions within the Iranian diaspora over the war with Iran and the future leadership of the country.Chicago Today

The killing of Iranian activist Masood Masjoody in Canada has exposed increasingly bitter divisions within the Iranian diaspora, particularly over the war with Iran and the campaign to make the son of the former shah the country's next leader. Masjoody had accused two fellow activists of plotting to kill him, and police later charged them with his murder. The case has added to tensions in a diaspora divided over the war and who should lead Iran if the government falls, with supporters and critics of the monarchist movement trading threats and accusations.

Why it matters

The killing and subsequent threats against other Iranian activists in the diaspora highlight the growing polarization and radicalization within the Iranian opposition movement outside the country. The divisions threaten to undermine efforts to present a united front against the Iranian government and could make it more difficult for the diaspora to play a constructive role in any future political transition in Iran.

The details

Masood Masjoody, a mathematician, had a history of making accusations against those he considered adversaries. Last fall, he claimed on social media that two fellow Iran-born activists were plotting to kill him. In early February, Masjoody disappeared, and by mid-March, police in British Columbia had found his body and brought first-degree murder charges against the two activists he had accused. Days after Masjoody's disappearance, 10 other outspoken diaspora figures, most of them critics of the monarchist campaign or the war with Iran, were tagged in an ominous message on the social platform X, warning 'Soon you'll have to find the corpses of many.' The post came from an account named for the SAVAK, the feared secret police once used by the monarchy to crack down on dissent.

  • In early February, Masood Masjoody disappeared.
  • By mid-March, police in British Columbia had found Masjoody's body and brought first-degree murder charges against two activists.
  • Days after Masjoody's disappearance, 10 other outspoken diaspora figures were tagged in an ominous message on the social platform X.

The players

Masood Masjoody

A mathematician who had a history of making accusations against those he considered adversaries, and who was killed in Canada.

Reza Pahlavi

The exiled crown prince who supports the war launched by the U.S. and Israel and leads a movement to make him the next leader of Iran.

Nik Kowsar

An Iranian activist who was once an unpaid adviser to Pahlavi but has become an outspoken critic, accusing monarchists of seeking to replace one form of authoritarian rule with another.

Sahar Razavi

The director of the Iranian and Middle East Studies Center at California State University, Sacramento, who has faced harassment for hosting a journalist some accused of being allied with Iran's government.

Ali Tarokh

A Chicago activist who has criticized supporters of the war and continued to speak at peace rallies despite receiving threats.

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What they’re saying

“'But this one gave me chills.'”

— Nik Kowsar, Iranian activist

“'With the latest threat after that Canadian Iranian activist disappeared, I'll be honest with you, I freaked out.'”

— Alireza Nader, Security analyst

“'It doesn't matter if you tell them, 'I agree with you, the regime has to go, but I disagree with your approach.' There is zero tolerance.'”

— Ali Tarokh, Chicago activist

What’s next

Authorities in Canada are continuing to investigate the murder of Masood Masjoody and the threats made against other Iranian activists in the diaspora. The growing polarization and radicalization within the Iranian opposition movement outside the country is a concerning trend that could undermine efforts to present a united front against the Iranian government.

The takeaway

The killing of Masood Masjoody and the subsequent threats against other Iranian activists in the diaspora highlight the increasingly bitter divisions within the Iranian opposition movement outside the country. These divisions, fueled by disagreements over the war with Iran and the campaign to make the son of the former shah the country's next leader, threaten to undermine the diaspora's ability to play a constructive role in any future political transition in Iran.