Iran-US-Israel War: As tensions in the Middle East do not appear to be resolving in a matter of days or weeks, Iran’s exiled prince, Reza Pahlavi, finds this an opportunity to express his political aspiration to lead Iran. The son of the last Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, has pitched himself as a replacement for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the next leader of Iran.

Appearing on an interview with CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’, Pahlavi claimed that “millions of Iranians inside and outside Iran are calling my name”. Pitching himself as a transitional figure, Pahlavi said that he would take Iran towards democracy.

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“They [Iranians] trust me as a transitional leader. Not as the future king, or future president, or future whatever. I’m totally focused on my mission in life, which is: let me bring the country to a point where they can make that free choice. That would be enough for me, having said ‘mission accomplished’,” said Pahlavi.

Although Pahlavi claims to take Iranian leadership, analysts suggest that Iranians' resentment and dissatisfaction with Khamenei does not translate into liking or preference for Reza Pahlavi.

Experts argue that Pahlavi, who has spent nearly 5 decades outside Iran, does not hold influence on the Iranian people except for part of the diaspora and dissents, residing outside.

Will Trump’s Support Make Pahlavi Iran’s Next Leader

Reports suggest that influential figures in Trump’s MAGA movement have backed Reza Pahlavi. Even Pahlavi, with Trump’s backing hope to establish himself in Iran as the next leader, who promises to take Iran towards democracy and individual freedom. Pahlavi also said that he does not expect Trump to explicitly endorse him, but he want Trump administration to put weight behind his claim.

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“I don’t think that somebody in my position will ever expect to have an official endorsement of a foreign government or a foreign leader. What I do know now is that millions of Iranians inside Iran and outside of Iran are calling my name. They recognise in me the person uniquely placed to play a role of transitional leadership,” said Pahlavi.