Trump on Iran’s Exiled Crown Prince
President Donald Trump seems to be rather ambiguous about the potential for Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, to take charge if the current Islamic regime falls apart.
During a recent interview, Trump commented, “He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he will play in his home country.” He added that the situation in Iran hasn’t reached that point yet, expressing uncertainty about whether the Iranian people would accept Pahlavi’s leadership. Still, he mentioned that it wouldn’t matter to him either way.
Ever since protests erupted across Iran, Trump hasn’t provided a definitive stance on Pahlavi. For instance, in an interview with Hugh Hewitt on January 8, he indicated he was unsure about meeting with Pahlavi amid the ongoing unrest. He stated, “It might not be appropriate,” noting that he believes the situation should play out more before any decisions are made about leadership.
Pahlavi has repeatedly reached out to Trump as protests have intensified. After the Iranian government imposed an internet blackout on January 9, he urged the president on social media to “stand ready to intervene to help the Iranian people.”
The crown prince conveyed a similar message during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he acknowledged Trump’s track record for promoting peace and standing against oppressive regimes. Pahlavi suggested that the Iranian populace recognizes Trump as a stark contrast to previous leaders like Obama and Biden, adding that they trust he wouldn’t betray their cause.
Although Trump has publicly shown some hesitance, Pahlavi has reportedly engaged in discussions with senior U.S. officials, including White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. These conversations hint at Pahlavi’s efforts to establish himself as a potential “interim” leader if the regime he seeks to replace collapses.
Pahlavi is the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, who ruled until he was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since then, he has lived in exile, unable to return to his homeland.
