‘Don’t Know If Iranians Would Accept Him’: Trump Questions Support for Reza Pahlavi

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump has raised doubts about whether Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, can gain real support inside Iran or play a leading role if the country’s clerical system collapses.

Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, Trump said Pahlavi was a “very nice” person but added that he was unsure Iranians would accept his leadership. “I don’t know whether his country will accept his leadership,” Trump said, signaling hesitation about backing him as a future figurehead for Iran.

Pahlavi, 65, has lived in exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled his father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In recent months, his name has resurfaced amid widespread protests across Iran, triggered by economic hardship and anger over political repression. Demonstrations have been met with a tough response from Iranian security forces.

According to Dawn, Trump acknowledged there is a possibility that Iran’s clerical rulers could lose power but said the situation has not reached that stage yet. “We’re really not there,” he said, suggesting that talk of who might lead Iran next is premature.

Experts say one major obstacle for Pahlavi is the deep division within Iran’s opposition. Monarchists, secular activists, reformists and other groups often disagree on the country’s future direction. This lack of unity has made it hard for any single figure to emerge as a clear leader.

Another challenge is Pahlavi’s long absence from Iran. While he has supporters among parts of the Iranian diaspora, analysts say his influence inside the country remains limited. Memories of the shah’s rule, which many Iranians associate with authoritarianism, also complicate his appeal.

Trump’s comments came during a wide-ranging interview that also touched on global issues, including the war in Ukraine and unrest in Venezuela. He said he plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, highlighting his continued interest in opposition movements abroad.

Supporters of Pahlavi argue that he offers a vision of a non-nuclear Iran that respects human rights and allows democratic choice. Still, as Trump’s remarks suggest, serious questions remain about whether he can turn that vision into real support on the ground.