Rastakhiz Party

The Resurgence Party of the Iranian Nation (Persian: حزب رستاخیز ملت ایران), "The Iranian Nation's Awakening", or simply the Rastakhiz Party (Persian: حزب رستاخیز, romanized: Hezb-e Rastāxiz, lit. 'Resurgence/Resurrection Party'), was Iran's sole legal political party from 2 March 1975 until 1 November 1978, founded by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Although the Rastakhiz Party was presented as a vehicle for national political participation, it operated within a highly centralized political structure closely connected to the state. Membership was strongly encouraged and in many cases effectively required, particularly for government employees and professionals. Despite official claims of millions of members, historians have noted that the organization functioned largely as an extension of the state apparatus rather than as an independent political movement.

During the political unrest that preceded the Iranian Revolution, the party became a frequent target of criticism and protest. As demonstrations intensified in 1978, the Shah dissolved the Rastakhiz Party as part of broader attempts to ease political tensions. The collapse of the monarchy in 1979 led to the suppression of monarchist political organizations, and the party ceased to exist with the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.