Iran’s opposition figure, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s toppled Shah, has urged President Donald Trump to consider U.S. military intervention as a way out from the nuclear standoff with Tehran. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Pahlavi said there are signs that the Iranian government is on the brink of collapse and called for swift action.
Pahlavi’s comments come amid an ongoing campaign of mass arrests in Iran since last month’s crackdown, which resulted in thousands being detained due to heightened repression aimed at curbing further protests. These unrests began as a modest demonstration over economic hardship in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar but quickly spread nationwide.
The Trump administration has engaged with Iran through diplomatic channels and military buildup in the region, culminating in talks in Oman last week and more expected this coming week. However, Pahlavi suggests that given the ongoing failure to reach a nuclear deal, it may be time for decisive action by the United States to intervene rather than continue negotiations.
Pahlavi’s call for intervention is seen as a direct challenge to President Trump’s administration, which has maintained its focus on diplomatic avenues thus far. In a previous interview with Reuters, Trump himself was skeptical about Pahlavi’s level of support inside Iran and suggested that instilling fear may be necessary in resolving the standoff.
The U.S. military is preparing for potential sustained operations against Iran should President Trump order such an intervention, underscoring the severity of this possibility. For now, however, negotiations continue to remain a central focus despite mounting concerns from both sides about reaching a mutually acceptable deal.
In contrast to the complex landscape of Iran’s opposition groups and factions, Pahlavi represents one prominent voice advocating for military action as a solution. His call for intervention adds another layer to the already intricate dynamics shaping the U.S.-Iran standoff.