Trump Doubts Reza Pahlavi’s Ability to Rally Support Inside Iran
Trump described Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s last shah, as “very nice,” but questioned his political viability within Iran.
Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, the oldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran attends a session of European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on March 1, 2023. Photo by Anadolu Images.
P resident Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is uncertain whether Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi could command enough support inside Iran to assume leadership, even as unrest continues to shake the country’s clerical establishment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Reuters in the Oval Office, Trump described Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s last shah, as “very nice,” but questioned his political viability within Iran.
“I don’t know how he’d play within his own country,” Trump said. “I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership.”
Trump’s remarks marked his strongest public doubts to date about Pahlavi’s prospects, following comments last week in which he said he had no plans to meet the opposition figure. Pahlavi, 65, has lived outside Iran since before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has emerged as a prominent voice backing the current wave of anti-government protests.
Trump’s cautious stance
Iran has been rocked by weeks of unrest, with reports of thousands killed in a crackdown by authorities. While Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran and suggested the regime could collapse, he appeared cautious about endorsing any single opposition leader.
“It’s possible the government could fall,” Trump said, adding, “but any regime can fail.”
Analysts note that Iran’s opposition remains deeply fragmented, split among monarchists, reformists, secular activists and ethnic groups, with limited organizational capacity inside the country.
During the wide-ranging interview, Trump also addressed other foreign and domestic issues. He blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for stalled negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was “ready to make a deal.”
“Loyal Republicans”
Asked about Republican lawmakers criticizing a Justice Department investigation involving Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Trump dismissed their concerns, saying party members “should be loyal.”
Trump said he would highlight the strength of the U.S. economy during an upcoming visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where the White House said he is scheduled to meet several foreign leaders.
The president is nearing the end of the first year of his second term and acknowledged historical challenges facing his party ahead of the November congressional midterm elections, noting that presidents often lose seats two years into their term.
“But we’re going to try very hard to win the midterms,” Trump said.
(Source: Reuters)
