Trump Questions Reza Pahlavi's Leadership Potential Amid Iranian Protests
In a recent interview with Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed doubts regarding Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi's capacity to garner popular support within Iran, despite calling him "seeming very nice."
These remarks were made during an exclusive conversation in the Oval Office, coinciding with ongoing widespread protests in Iran.
Trump acknowledged that the Iranian government could potentially collapse but stated he is not ready to fully endorse Pahlavi at this time. He remarked, "I don’t know how he will act within his country… we haven’t reached that stage yet," adding, "I don’t know if his people will accept his leadership or not, but if they do, that would be acceptable to me."
Trump has hinted at the possibility of U.S. intervention to support Iranian protesters, amid reports of significant casualties during government crackdowns. However, he refrained from explicitly endorsing Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah of Iran, and confirmed he does not plan to meet him currently.
Reza Pahlavi, 65, has resided in the United States since before his father's regime fell and has emerged as a prominent advocate for the protests. Trump pointed to the divisions within the Iranian opposition and questioned its ability to present a unified political alternative.
Regarding the political landscape in Tehran, Trump noted, "It is possible that the government will fall due to protests, but the truth is that any regime can fail," adding, "Whether the regime falls or not, we are facing an interesting period of time."
* Criticism of Zelensky
In relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him as the "main obstacle" to achieving peace with Russia. Trump, who has vowed to end the conflict "in one day," stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is ready to make a deal." When asked about stalled negotiations, Trump simply replied, "Zelensky," emphasizing the need for him to agree to a settlement.
* Reflections on Political Strategy
The interview took place as Trump nears the end of the first year of his second presidential term. He was seen behind his desk in the Oval Office, discussing a file that he claimed documents his achievements since taking office on January 20, 2025.
As the midterm elections approach in November, Trump acknowledged that the ruling party typically loses seats two years after presidential elections. However, he expressed determination, stating, "When you win the presidency, you usually don’t win the midterms… but we will try hard to win them."
Trump's comments intertwining Iranian and Ukrainian issues reflect a politically charged environment both domestically and internationally, raising significant questions about future U.S. policies in the Middle East and Europe.
