Explained: Why is Trump reluctant to back Reza Pahlavi as Irans future leader?
Trump casts doubt on Reza Pahlavi's leadership potential for Iran, despite calling him "very nice". Amid escalating Iranian protests and a severe crackdown, Trump questions Pahlavi's domestic support, though he acknowledges the regime's potential collapse. Pahlavi, an exiled opposition figure, has emerged as a rallying voice for demonstrators facing arrests and deaths.
New Delhi: On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said that Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi "seems very nice", however, he voiced uncertainty if Pahlavi would be able to garner backing within Iran to finally take over the reins.
Trump told Reuters that Iran’s clerical regime is likely to face collapse. The US President has been warning that the US may intervene to back the protesters in Iran, as the crackdown on demonstrators has claimed thousands of lives. However, he expressed his unwillingness to offer his full support to Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran, who was toppled in 1979.
"He seems very nice, but..."
Trump was quoted by Reuters as saying: "He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country. He added: "And we really aren't up to that point yet."
"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 also cast doubts on Pahlavi’s ability to lead Iran, following his statement last week that he did not plan to meet him.
A rallying voice for protesters
Pahlavi, 65, has been living outside Iran -- in the US -- after his father was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In recent weeks, he has emerged as a unifying rallying voice for the protesters. Iran’s opposition remains fractured across rival factions and ideologies, with groups like Pahlavi-backing monarchists showing little organised presence inside Iran.
Trump has said that it is possible the government in Tehran could fall due to the protests. But who will lead the protesters in such a scenario remains uncertain.
Earlier, in the initial stages of the protests, Pahlavi threw himself into the spotlight, while calling for on people to sustain their protests. In a statement last week, Pahlavi had said: "Great nation of Iran, the eyes of the world are upon you. Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands." He warned the government: "I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader and the (Revolutionary Guard) that the world and (President Donald Trump) are closely watching you. Suppression of the people will not go unanswered."
Protests persist
Widespread protests persist across Iran, with footage showing security forces firing into crowds in several cities. In some parts, protests have been largely subdued following a severe crackdown and a weeks-long internet outage, but tensions continues to mount.
Human rights groups and activist networks have revealed that thousands have died and mass arrests have been carried out amid the unrest.
The protests were fuelled by economic reasons. Iran's economy has faced enormous strain from sanctions, financial mismanagement and pervasive corruption. Rising unemployment and soaring inflation have further sparked public anger across the country.