US President Donald Trump publicly rejected the idea that Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah, could be considered a political alternative for the country. During a meeting with the German chancellor at the White House, Trump said that while some people admire Pahlavi, his administration had "not really thought much" about him. Instead, the US leader said he would prefer someone from inside Iran who is currently popular, adding that the US has such people.
Trump sharply criticized Iran's current leadership, calling its representatives "crazy extremists," and expressed hope for the emergence of more moderate figures within the country. This is not the first sign of Trump's skepticism about Pahlavi: he has previously questioned whether the people would accept him and whether he could govern effectively after decades in exile. Experts similarly doubt the ability of the shah's son, long detached from the country, to lead it.
These remarks came amid a rise in regional tensions. The conflict between Iran, the US and Israel entered its fourth day after a series of attacks. In Tehran, officials announced the death of the country's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as a result of a strike on his residence in the capital last Saturday, marking the most serious development in the crisis.
Full version: ترمب لا يدعم "طموح" بهلوي ويفضل شخصا من داخل إيران