PARIS, France: The Reza Pahlavi leadership bid has lost momentum amid US scepticism, donor frustration and divisions within Iran’s opposition, a Reuters investigation published on July 28 found.
US President Donald Trump questioned Pahlavi’s appeal inside Iran during a January Reuters interview. Washington later backed a June ceasefire framework that respected Tehran’s sovereignty and made no reference to regime change.
US Vice President JD Vance subsequently said Trump had never sought to install Pahlavi as Iran’s leader. US officials also discouraged an Iranian-American activist from promoting.
Pahlavi during a January United Nations Security Council meeting, according to the Reuters investigation’s syndicated summary.
Pahlavi, the 65-year-old son of Iran’s last shah, told Reuters that the Islamic Republic remained close to collapse. He described himself as a bridge to a democratic government rather than Iran’s predetermined future ruler.
He also claimed to communicate with leaders from more than 1,000 groups inside Iran. However, Reuters could not independently confirm the size or reach of that network.
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A Gamaan Research Institute online survey of 31,450 Iranians found that about 48% viewed Pahlavi favourably. Accurate polling remains difficult because Iran’s government suppresses opposition activity.
Fewer than 10 Iranian-American business figures contributed more than $3 million to Pahlavi’s campaign, one member of a private donor group told Reuters.
Some later criticised his efforts to unite the opposition and address the conduct of radical supporters.
Reuters documented at least four recent incidents in Britain, the Netherlands and Austria involving violence or harassment by people identified as Pahlavi supporters.
Two other supporters face first-degree murder charges in Canada over the death of former Pahlavi critic Masood Masjoody. Pahlavi participated in or directed those incidents. Pahlavi condemned the violence and said offenders should face prosecution.
Iran’s opposition includes monarchists, republicans, left-wing movements and religious and ethnic groups. Their previous unity efforts, including the 2023 Georgetown Coalition, collapsed amid political and personal disputes.
