U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed doubts about Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi’s ability to gain sufficient domestic support to lead Iran, despite acknowledging him as a respectable figure, according to an exclusive interview with Reuters.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, “seems very nice” but questioned whether he could realistically command support 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 comments mark a more cautious stance toward Pahlavi, following his statement last week that he had no plans to meet with the U.S.-based opposition figure. Pahlavi, 65, has lived outside Iran for decades and has emerged as a vocal supporter of recent protests against Iran’s clerical leadership. However, Iran’s opposition remains deeply fragmented, with limited organized presence inside the country.
Iran’s Future Remains Uncertain
Trump acknowledged that Iran’s government could potentially collapse amid ongoing unrest, noting that thousands of protesters have reportedly been killed during crackdowns by Iranian authorities. Still, he emphasized uncertainty.
“Any regime can fail,” Trump said. “Whether it falls or not, it’s going to be an interesting period of time.”
While Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention in support of Iranian protesters, he stopped short of offering explicit backing for any alternative leadership.
Trump Blames Zelenskiy for Ukraine War Stalemate
During the same interview, Trump also blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the continued stalemate in peace negotiations with Russia, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “ready to make a deal.”
“The problem is Zelenskiy,” Trump said. “We have to get President Zelenskiy to go along with it.”
Trump has faced criticism for failing to end the war in Ukraine, despite campaign promises that he could resolve the conflict swiftly.
Dismisses Criticism Over Federal Reserve Probe
Trump also dismissed criticism from Republican lawmakers and business leaders regarding a Justice Department investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, rejecting concerns that the probe undermines the Fed’s independence.
“They should be loyal,” Trump said of Republican critics.
He further brushed off warnings from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon that political interference could fuel inflation.
Looking Ahead
As Trump approaches the end of the first year of his second term, he acknowledged historical challenges facing the ruling party ahead of midterm elections but said Republicans would “try very hard” to retain congressional strength. He also confirmed plans to promote the strength of the U.S. economy at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, alongside bilateral meetings with several world leaders.
