Trump Questions Reza Pahlavi's Ability to Unite Support in Iran
In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump voiced doubts regarding the ability of Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi to gather popular support in Iran and assume leadership, despite describing him as "very nice."
These comments were made during an exclusive interview with Reuters in the Oval Office, coinciding with widespread protests in Iran.
Trump acknowledged the potential for the Iranian government to collapse but stressed that he is not ready to fully endorse Pahlavi at this time. He stated, "I don’t know how he will be accepted in his country... we haven’t reached that point yet," adding, "If his people accept his leadership, that would be acceptable to me."
Trump has hinted at the possibility of intervening to support protesters in Iran, amid reports of hundreds of deaths during a crackdown on dissent against the clerical regime. However, last Wednesday, he refrained from explicitly supporting Pahlavi, the son of Iran's overthrown Shah, who was ousted during the 1979 Revolution, stating he has no plans to meet with him at this time.
Reza Pahlavi, 65, has resided in the United States since before his father's regime fell and has recently emerged as a prominent voice advocating for the protests. However, Trump suggested a significant division within the Iranian opposition and a diminishing organized presence in the country, raising questions about their ability to present a unified political alternative.
Regarding the future situation in Tehran, Trump remarked, "The government is likely to fall due to the protests, but the truth is any regime can fail," adding, "Whether the regime falls or not, we are in an interesting time."
* Zelensky Faces Criticism
In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump directed sharp criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him "the main obstacle" to reaching an agreement with Russia to end the four-year conflict.
Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the war "in a day," claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is willing to make a deal." When asked about the reasons for the stalled negotiations, Trump succinctly responded: "Zelensky," adding, "We need to get President Zelensky to accept that."
* A Busy First Year and Internal Calculations
The interview coincided with Trump nearing the end of the first year of his second presidential term, where he was seen sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office, sipping a soda and holding a large file he claimed documents his achievements since taking office on January 20, 2025.
Regarding the upcoming midterm elections in November, Trump acknowledged that the party in power typically loses seats two years after a presidential election, but emphasized his determination to campaign vigorously, stating, "When you win the presidency, you normally don’t win the midterms... but we will do everything we can to win."
Trump's remarks, covering Iranian and Ukrainian issues, reflect a politically charged phase both domestically and internationally, raising significant questions about Washington's future trends in the Middle East and Europe.
