In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have reversed his previously favorable stance toward Reza Pahlavi, exiled son of the last Shah of Iran. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump expressed uncertainty about Pahlavi's leadership in Iran, indicating that he is unsure whether the current Iranian populace would accept him as a leader. This marks a significant shift in Trump's position regarding Iranian leadership, casting doubts on the effectiveness of endorsing an exile instead of engaging with current political entities within Iran.

Trump elaborated that, while he finds Pahlavi to be a likable person, he believes that someone already in Iran might be a more suitable candidate for leadership. He did not specify any potential alternatives, reflecting the complexities of Iranian politics where external endorsements can be fraught with peril. This statement opens up questions about U.S. foreign policy towards Iran and the previous strategy of leaning towards exiled figures rather than looking for homegrown solutions.

Iranian expert Alen Salehzadeh commented during a segment on Iltalehti's Iran studio, underscoring that Pahlavi's support within Iran is limited. Although Pahlavi garners significant attention and backing from Iranians abroad, the sentiment does not translate as robustly within the country. This nuanced understanding of local versus diaspora sentiments towards leadership highlights the intricate dynamics at play in Iran's potential political landscape, suggesting that any leader must possess substantial domestic support to be viable, regardless of external opinions.