U.S. President Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi could command enough domestic support to lead Iran, even as protests continue to strain the country’s clerical establishment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Reuters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump described Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, as “very nice” but questioned his political viability inside Iran. Trump said Washington has not reached a point where it is prepared to fully back any single opposition figure.
“He seems very nice, but 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.”
U.S. Caution on Iran’s Opposition
Trump’s remarks highlight the limits of U.S. support for Iran’s fragmented opposition movement, despite repeated warnings from Washington that it could intervene in support of protesters. Iran has witnessed sustained unrest, with reports of thousands killed during a security crackdown against demonstrations opposing clerical rule.
Reza Pahlavi, 65, has lived outside Iran since before the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew his father. From exile, he has emerged as a prominent voice among some protesters, particularly monarchist groups. However, Iran’s opposition remains deeply divided along ideological and organizational lines and lacks a cohesive structure inside the country.
Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Program, echoed Trump’s caution, noting that while Pahlavi has gained visibility, it is difficult to measure his actual support within Iran. “It’s very hard to see how much support he has or how much support any figure has in Iran,” she said.
Possibility of Regime Collapse
Trump said it was possible that Iran’s government could fall under the pressure of ongoing protests but stopped short of predicting an imminent collapse. “Any regime can fail,” he said, describing the current moment as an “interesting period of time” for Iran.
Broader Foreign Policy Comments
During the wide-ranging interview, Trump also addressed other international and domestic issues. He blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the stalemate in negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was “ready to make a deal.”
Asked what was blocking progress, Trump responded: “Zelenskiy.”
Trump dismissed criticism from Republican lawmakers over a Justice Department probe involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, insisting party loyalty should outweigh institutional concerns. He also brushed aside warnings from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon that political pressure on the Federal Reserve could fuel inflation.
Venezuela, Economy, and Davos
Trump confirmed he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday, marking their first in-person meeting. He described Machado as “a very nice woman” and said discussions would focus on “basics.” Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, though the Nobel Committee has stated the award cannot be transferred despite her public praise of Trump.
The president also defended the strength of the U.S. economy and said he would emphasize strong job numbers and economic performance at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. According to the White House, Trump is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Switzerland, Poland, and Egypt during the event.
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