U.S. President Donald Trump has questioned whether Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi could command enough backing inside Iran to eventually lead the country, signaling reluctance to offer full support to the exiled monarchist despite ongoing protests against clerical rule.
Speaking in an exclusive Reuters interview in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said Pahlavi “seems very nice” but added he was unsure how he would be received domestically. “I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership,” Trump said, noting that the situation had not yet reached that point.
Caution on Iran’s Opposition
Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where thousands have reportedly been killed in a crackdown on unrest. However, his comments reflected caution toward Pahlavi, the 65-year-old son of Iran’s last shah, who was ousted in the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has lived outside the country since then.
The president said it was possible Iran’s clerical government could collapse under the pressure of protests, but added that “any regime can fail.” He described the period ahead as “an interesting period of time,” without predicting a specific outcome.
Iran’s opposition remains fragmented among rival ideological factions, including monarchists who back Pahlavi, and appears to lack a strong organized presence inside the country.
Ukraine and Zelenskiy
During the interview, Trump also turned to the war in Ukraine, blaming President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the stalemate in negotiations with Russia. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “ready to make a deal,” adding: “We have to get President Zelenskiy to go along with it.”
Trump has struggled to end the conflict despite earlier campaign claims that he could resolve it quickly.
Fed Probe and Party Loyalty
Trump dismissed criticism from Senate Republicans who have vowed to block his Federal Reserve nominees over concerns about a Justice Department probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. “They should be loyal,” Trump said, brushing off concerns about interference with the central bank’s independence.
He also rejected criticism from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who warned that meddling in the Fed could drive inflation. “I don’t care what he says,” Trump said.
Venezuela and Economic Messaging
The president confirmed he is set to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House, calling her “a very nice woman” and saying their discussion would focus on “basics.” He also praised Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez, saying he had a “fascinating talk” with her earlier in the day.
Trump repeatedly highlighted what he described as the strength of the U.S. economy, despite concerns among Americans about prices. He said he plans to carry that message to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where he will emphasize job numbers and economic performance.
According to the White House, Trump will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Switzerland, Poland and Egypt while attending the Davos gathering.
