Overview
- In a Reuters interview at the White House, Trump said Tehran’s clerical government might collapse under sustained protests but noted that any regime can fail.
- He declined to back exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, saying the prince “seems very nice” yet he did not know whether Iranians would accept his leadership.
- Trump said he has been told the killing of protesters has stopped and there are no plans for executions, a claim difficult to verify given nationwide blackouts.
- Rights groups report thousands killed and widespread detentions in the crackdown as demonstrations continue across multiple cities.
- Iran’s opposition remains divided, with Pahlavi advancing a U.S.-based transition plan while rivals including the NCRI/MEK question his legitimacy and in-country support.