Trump Doubts Pahlavi as Iran’s Next Leader at White House Meeting with Germany’s Merz/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump cast doubt on exiled activist Reza Pahlavi leading Iran. Trump suggested a successor from within Iran would be more appropriate. The comments come as the administration continues strikes and debates Iran’s political future.
Quick Look: Trump on Pahlavi and Iran Leadership
- Pahlavi Downplayed: President Donald Trump says exiled activist Reza Pahlavi is not a current focus.
- Prefers Internal Leader: Trump suggests someone “from within” Iran may be more appropriate.
- Succession Uncertain: Dozens of Iranian leaders, including Ali Khamenei, were killed in initial strikes.
- Not Officially Regime Change: Administration says mission targets nuclear and missile capabilities.
- Worst-Case Scenario: Trump warns against a replacement “as bad as the previous person.”
- Global Context: Comments came during meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- Congress Watching Timeline: Senate Majority Leader John Thune expects operations to conclude before War Powers deadline.
Trump Questions Pahlavi’s Prospects as Iran’s Leader
President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the possibility that exiled Iranian activist Reza Pahlavi could become Iran’s next leader, signaling a preference for leadership emerging from inside the country.
“Some people like him, and we haven’t been thinking too much about that,” Trump said when asked about Pahlavi’s potential role. “It would seem to me that somebody from within maybe would be more appropriate.”
Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, has positioned himself as a prominent opposition figure since the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials. Supporters in cities such as Los Angeles have rallied behind him in recent days.
But Trump appeared skeptical that an exiled figure would be the right fit to lead the country during a transition.
“He looks like a very nice person,” Trump said of Pahlavi, adding that a leader already inside Iran — “if there’s such a person” who is popular — might be better suited.
Mixed Signals on Regime Change
The remarks add to ongoing ambiguity surrounding U.S. objectives in the widening conflict.
While Trump has previously encouraged Iranians to reclaim control of their country, senior administration officials have said the military campaign is not officially about regime change. Instead, they have framed the mission as targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Still, Trump acknowledged that leadership succession remains uncertain. He said the “worst-case” scenario would be replacing Iran’s former leader with someone equally hardline.
“We don’t want that to happen,” he said. “We’d like to see somebody in there, bring it back to the people.”
Germany Signals Alignment
Trump’s comments came during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said he was on the “same page” with the United States about removing what he described as a “terrible regime” in Tehran.
Merz said discussions would focus on what comes “the day after” and expressed hope the war would conclude quickly with a government that restores “peace and freedom.”
Congressional and Strategic Questions
On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested U.S. military operations could conclude before triggering a required congressional authorization vote under the War Powers Act’s 60-day limit.
Meanwhile, Trump expressed surprise at the breadth of Iran’s retaliation, particularly strikes targeting neighboring countries he described as previously neutral.
“Amazingly, they’re hitting countries that were … at least somewhat friendly,” Trump said.
The president also maintained that U.S. munitions supplies remain strong and said defense contractors are operating under emergency authorities to accelerate weapons production.
Leadership Uncertainty in Tehran
With dozens of senior Iranian officials reportedly killed in initial strikes, questions remain about who could realistically assume power in Tehran.
While Pahlavi has long advocated for democratic reform and has a visible diaspora following, Trump’s remarks suggest the administration is not actively backing him as a successor.
Instead, the White House appears to be signaling openness to a leadership figure emerging from within Iran — though Trump acknowledged uncertainty about who that might be.
“It would seem to me that somebody from within might be more appropriate,” he said.
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