US President sees protests as potential change, doubts former Shah’s son can govern Iran
Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, and questioned his ability to govern should the Iranian regime fall amid ongoing protests. Speaking to international media, Trump described the unrest in Tehran as a potential opportunity for regime change, but avoided fully endorsing Pahlavi as Iran’s next leader.
“Reza Pahlavi looks very good, but I don’t know how he would run the country if he were in power,” Trump said. He emphasized that while the situation in Iran presents a historic moment, the US is not yet at a stage to fully determine leadership outcomes.
Trump noted that the Islamic government in Tehran may collapse due to protests, but cautioned that any government can fail. “Whether it falls or not, this will be an interesting time,” he said. His comments reflect ongoing US interest in Iranian politics, particularly following the recent wave of demonstrations across the country.
Despite repeated speculation in international media about Pahlavi’s potential return, Trump has refrained from giving explicit support to the former Shah’s son, who has been living in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi has recently emerged as a key opposition figure, gaining attention amid the unrest, though the broader Iranian opposition remains divided along ideological and political lines.
Trump acknowledged that he is uncertain whether the Iranian populace would accept Pahlavi as a leader but indicated that if the public supports him, it could be favorable for US interests. The remarks come amid heightened US rhetoric on Iran, with Trump previously issuing warnings about regime change and expressing interest in supporting Iranian opposition groups.
Analysts note that Pahlavi’s limited organizational base and the fragmented nature of the Iranian opposition may hinder his ability to consolidate power. Nonetheless, his symbolic significance as a pro-monarchy figure and potential unifying leader for certain opposition factions continues to make him a subject of discussion in Washington and among international media.
The former Crown Prince, now 65, has remained in the US since the 1979 Revolution, advocating for democratic reforms in Iran and maintaining a symbolic presence for monarchist supporters. The current unrest in Iran has brought his name back into discussions about the country’s political future, though his leadership prospects remain uncertain.
Trump’s cautious remarks underscore the complexity of Iranian politics, the limits of US influence, and the unpredictable outcomes of popular uprisings in authoritarian regimes. While acknowledging the potential collapse of Tehran’s government, the President stopped short of making a definitive prediction, instead framing the situation as an “interesting time” for both Iran and international observers.
