Trump’s Demand for Complete Dismantling of Islamic Republic and People Calling Out Reza Pahlavi’s Name

Trump, while emphasizing the complete dismantling of the Islamic Republic’s leadership, spoke of the existence of options for “a good leader”; while many Iranian protesters in recent demonstrations are calling out the name of Reza Pahlavi as a symbol of change.

As political and military developments in Iran have entered a sensitive phase, Donald Trump, President of the United States, has declared in conversations with American media that he seeks the complete dismantling of the Islamic Republic’s leadership structure and believes Iran should move toward forming new leadership.

Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News that he has options in mind for Iran’s political future, but has not yet mentioned any specific names.

He emphasized in this regard: “We want to go in and clean everything up. We don’t want someone who will rebuild everything over a 10-year period.”

The U.S. President also added: “We want them to have a good leader. We have a few people that I think can do a good job.” However, Trump refrained from naming these individuals and only indicated that Washington is monitoring developments related to these figures.

He stated in another part of his remarks: “We don’t want them to put anyone there unless it’s approved by us.”

Trump also emphasized that he will take measures to ensure that individuals on his list do not suffer harm during the conflicts. In other statements, the U.S. President also referred to the military situation of the Islamic Republic and claimed that a large portion of Iran’s missile capabilities have been disabled.

He added: “58 percent of the Islamic Republic’s missile launchers have been disabled.” Regarding the continuation of military operations, he also said: “Well, a lot of people are saying this thing is over right now. For me, it’s not over. It’s over when I want it to be over.”

He also dismissed statements by Iranian officials about readiness to confront a ground invasion, saying he currently has no plans for ground operations.

Trump stated in this regard: “It’s a waste of time. They’ve lost everything. They’ve lost their navy. They’ve lost everything they could possibly lose.”

Trump’s statements come as widespread speculation has emerged about Iran’s future power structure following the death of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Some analysts believe that Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, might be considered as a successor; although this has faced serious opposition among parts of Iranian society.

Meanwhile, many political observers believe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is considered one of the most powerful military, political, and economic institutions in Iran, may play a more decisive role in the power structure if the crises continue.

Trump previously, in response to a question about the possibility of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, playing a role, said he preferred a moderate figure from within the country to take on future leadership. This is while many Iranian protesters, particularly in recent years and demonstrations both inside and outside Iran, have called out the name of Prince Reza Pahlavi as one of the symbolic figures of political change.

Critics of the idea of selecting someone from within the Islamic Republic’s power structure say: “Such a scenario could lead to the continuation of the same power structure.” According to these critics, finding a personality in today’s Iran who has no role in the Islamic Republic’s power structure but possesses the necessary influence to lead is very difficult.

Some analysts also warn that if power transfer is entrusted to someone from within this same structure, a cycle similar to the past might be repeated; a situation in which superficial changes occur but the fundamental power structure remains intact.

Among Iran’s religious minorities, discussions about the country’s future are being closely monitored. Iran’s Christian community has faced widespread restrictions and pressures over the past decades, and many members of this community have been detained or forced to leave the country due to their religious beliefs.

Christian activists believe Iran’s future should be built on the basis of religious freedom, human dignity, and the separation of religion from government; principles that could create conditions for peaceful coexistence among followers of different religions.

In such circumstances, many observers say that Iran’s future path will depend not only on the decisions of political powers, but also on the will of the Iranian people; people who in recent years have repeatedly taken to the streets demanding fundamental changes in the country’s political structure.