U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered a measured and skeptical assessment of Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, telling Reuters that while the exiled royal “seems very nice,” he is uncertain whether Pahlavi could command enough support inside Iran to eventually take power. The comments underscored Trump’s reluctance to fully embrace a figure often promoted by monarchist factions as a potential alternative to Iran’s clerical leadership.
Speaking in an exclusive Reuters interview in the Oval Office, Trump said there was a chance Iran’s government could collapse amid widespread protests but cautioned against assuming any particular outcome. He stopped short of endorsing Pahlavi, the 65-year-old son of the late shah who was ousted in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, noting that he did not know whether Iranians would accept his leadership if the opportunity arose. Trump said that while such an outcome would be acceptable to him, the situation had not reached that stage.
Trump’s remarks came against the backdrop of sustained unrest in Iran, where thousands of people have reportedly been killed during a crackdown on protests against clerical rule. Although Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of demonstrators, his comments to Reuters suggested hesitation about aligning Washington too closely with an opposition figure who has lived outside Iran for decades. Iran’s opposition remains fragmented among rival ideological groups, including monarchists loyal to Pahlavi, and lacks a strong, organized presence inside the country.
During the interview, Trump said that while Tehran’s leadership could fall, history shows that any regime is vulnerable. He described the current moment as uncertain and potentially transformative, emphasizing that outcomes remain unpredictable. His comments went further than previous statements, including his assertion last week that he had no plans to meet with Pahlavi.
Trump, who is nearing the end of the first year of his second term, also reflected on his presidency and the political landscape at home. Sitting behind the Resolute Desk and sipping a Diet Coke, he showed Reuters a thick binder he said catalogued his administration’s accomplishments since being sworn in on January 20, 2025. He sought to temper expectations ahead of November’s congressional midterm elections, acknowledging that the party holding the White House often loses seats two years after a presidential victory.
On foreign policy, Trump again addressed Russia’s war in Ukraine, an issue he has struggled to resolve despite earlier claims that he could end the conflict quickly. He told Reuters that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to make a deal and placed responsibility for the stalemate on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whom he described as the main impediment to progress.
Trump also dismissed criticism from Republican lawmakers who have objected to his Justice Department’s probe into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, saying they “should be loyal.” He brushed off warnings from business leaders, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who have argued that political interference with the central bank could drive up inflation.
The president said he is scheduled to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday, their first in-person meeting since Trump ordered the arrest of former President Nicolas Maduro and moved to seize control of the country earlier this month. Trump told Reuters he expected a basic discussion and praised Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, describing her as constructive and easy to work with.
