Trump says post-regime Iran must not see rise of another hardliner, calls Pahlavi ‘an option’

Washington: US President Donald Trump has cautioned that the “worst case” scenario in the current conflict with Iran would be the rise of another hardline leadership in Tehran, while acknowledging that exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi could be considered “an option” in any future political transition.

Speaking during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office at the White House, Trump said the United States was intent on weakening Iran’s military capabilities but remained aware of the potential consequences if the existing leadership were to fall.

“I guess the worst case would be we do this, and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person,” Trump said.

“That could happen. We don't want that to happen.”

He said Washington would prefer a leadership change that benefits ordinary Iranians rather than paving the way for another radical government.

“We'd like to see somebody in there that's going to bring it back for the people,” he said.

“And we'll see what happens with the people. You know, they have their chance.”

When asked whether Reza Pahlavi could be viewed as a possible future leader, Trump did not dismiss the idea.

“I guess he is,” Trump said. “Some people like him and we haven't been thinking about — too much about that.”

However, he indicated that a figure emerging from within Iran might ultimately be more suitable.

“It would seem to me that somebody from within may be more appropriate,” he said, adding that someone “that's there that's currently popular” could be better placed to lead.

Trump also suggested that ongoing US military strikes had significantly disrupted Iran’s leadership ranks.

“Well, most of the people we had in mind are dead,” he said.

“So, you know, we had some in mind from that group that is dead, and now we have another group. They may also be dead, based on reports.”

He added that successive waves of strikes were targeting Iranian leadership and military structures.

“I guess you have a third wave coming and pretty soon we're not going to know anybody,” Trump said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin and Washington were aligned on the need to plan for developments after the current leadership in Tehran.

“We are on the same page in terms of getting this terrible regime in Tehran away, and we will talk about the day after, what will happen then if they are out,” Merz said.

The German leader added that Europe had a strong interest in working with the United States on a broader regional strategy.

“We are really looking forward to find ways how to deal about the day after,” he said.

In recent weeks, the United States has stepped up military operations targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, sharply escalating tensions across the Middle East.

(Inputs from IANS)