U.S. Signals Uncertainty Over Iran’s Political Future

U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to meet with Reza Pahlavi, who has presented himself as a potential crown prince of Iran, and has implied that Washington is not prepared to support him as a successor in the event ofa collapse of the Iranian government. This position suggests that the United States has not yet committed to backing a specific figure in a possible regime change scenario. 

Speaking on Thursday, Trump described Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, as “a good person.” However, he also stated that it would not be appropriate for him, as president, to meet with Pahlavi. This cautious stance reflects a deliberate effort by the United States to avoid openly endorsing an alternative leadership figure for Iran at this stage. 

Trump’s remarks indicate that Washington may be considering options other than Reza Pahlavi in the context of a potential regime change in Iran. One of the main reasons behind this approach is the U.S. perception of Iran as a key supporter of activities that could threaten both American and Israeli security. In order to prevent such risks, the United States would likely seek to shape any political transition in Iran in line with its own strategic interests. 

It is therefore possible that Trump may address this issue again in the near future, either indirectly or through subtle signals rather than explicit statements. However, Pahlavi’s consistently pro-American stance could still influence Washington’s calculations. These developments mark a highly critical period for Iran, raising questions about whether the current regime will be able to manage this challenging phase and maintain stability. 

References

Al Jazeera Staff. (2026, January 9). Trump says meeting Iran’s ‘Crown Prince’ Pahlavi would not be appropriate. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/9/trump-says-meeting-irans-crown-prince-pahlavi-would-not-be-appropriate