U.S. President Donald Trump has questioned whether Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran, would be able to command enough support inside Iran to lead the country if its clerical leadership were to fall.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Trump said Pahlavi appeared “very nice” but suggested it was unclear how much backing he would have among Iranians themselves.
Trump suggested that political change in Iran would ultimately have to come from within.
“It’s not for us to decide,” he said, indicating reluctance to be seen as shaping Iran’s leadership from abroad - a sensitive issue given the country’s history of foreign intervention.
“I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me,” Trump told Reuters.
The comments come amid continuing unrest in Iran and renewed debate over who could emerge as a viable alternative to the current regime.
Reza Pahlavi, 65, has lived in exile in the U.S. since the 1979 revolution that overthrew his father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and brought the current supreme leader to power.
In recent years, and particularly since widespread protests erupted across Iran, he has sought to position himself as a unifying figure for opposition groups calling for democratic change.
In an interview with CBS News earlier this week, Reza Pahlavi told the U.S. broadcaster that he was “ready to die for liberty,” in Iran.
While Washington has repeatedly condemned Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and imposed sanctions on Iranian officials, the U.S. administration has stopped short of openly backing any single opposition leader.
Iran has experienced waves of anti-government protests over recent years, driven by economic hardship, political repression and demands for greater personal freedoms. Security forces have responded forcefully, with thousands reportedly arrested and killed, according to human rights groups.
The Iranian government has dismissed opposition figures abroad and accuses Western governments of fuelling unrest.
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Iran on Thursday (15 January) at the request of the United States.
The foreign ministers of Iran and India have held high-level talks by telephone, discussing bilateral ties as well as a range of regional and internat...
U.S. President Donald Trump has questioned whether Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran, would be able to command enough support inside Iran...
Iran reopened its airspace late on Wednesday after a near five-hour closure that disrupted airline traffic, amid heightened concerns over possible mil...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 15th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector after sustained Russian attacks severely damaged power and heating infrastructure, Ukra...
Iran reopened its airspace late on Wednesday after a near five-hour closure that disrupted airline traffic, amid heightened concerns over possible military escalation involving the United States.
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector after sustained Russian attacks severely damaged power and heating infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.
The U.S. and UK are reducing personnel at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base as President Donald Trump weighs possible action against Iran over its violent crackdown on protesters.
Denmark has announced an immediate increase in its military presence in Greenland, citing growing security tensions in the Arctic.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Israel and Arab States have urged the U.S. to delay any potential military action against Iran, warning that such a move could undermine ongoing protests inside the country, according to NBC News.
Boeing booked more aircraft orders than Airbus in 2025 for the first time since 2018, official figures showed, even as the European manufacturer delivered more planes during the year.
Iran reopened its airspace late on Wednesday after a near five-hour closure that disrupted airline traffic, amid heightened concerns over possible military escalation involving the United States.
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector after sustained Russian attacks severely damaged power and heating infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.
Iran’s temporary shutdown of its airspace prompted flight diversions and fresh safety warnings on Wednesday as regional tensions disrupted airline operations across the Middle East.
Georgia’s decision to indefinitely suspend the Anaklia deep-water port project has stripped the country of a historic chance to become a key link in global trade routes, according to the Transport Corridor Research Center (TCRC).
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment