As Axios reports, during a morning meeting on January 13, the White House National Security team discussed possible steps in response to the anti-government protests that have engulfed Tehran and other cities in Iran. President Donald Trump did not attend this meeting, and a source from the publication noted that discussions are in the early stages, and no decisions regarding military actions against Iran have been made yet.
Change in the Trump Administration's Attitude Towards Pahlavi
At the initial stage of the protests, the Trump team did not consider Reza Pahlavi a serious political player, Axios reports. However, last week, in an interview, Trump refused to support his candidacy as a successor in Iran. Nevertheless, the administration was surprised when protesters began actively chanting Reza Pahlavi's name during the demonstrations, according to a senior official.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to an Axios source, stated in closed meetings in recent days that non-military measures are currently being considered to support Iranian protesters.
Trump's Call to Protesters in Iran
On the same day, Trump urged Iranian protesters to "keep fighting" and "take control" of government institutions, adding that "help is on the way." When asked about the details, he replied that "they will have to figure it out themselves." The president also expressed the opinion that Americans should leave Iran.
On January 2, Trump stated on the social network Truth Social that the U.S. would intervene if Iranian forces fired on peaceful demonstrators. Trump's press secretary, Caroline Levitt, later reported that the president is considering various measures against Iran, including possible airstrikes, but is primarily focused on diplomacy. On January 11, Trump announced that Iranian leadership had reached out to him for negotiations, although this information was not confirmed by the Iranian side.
On January 12, the U.S. president announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on all countries trading with Iran. According to Bloomberg, among the key trading partners of the Islamic Republic of Iran are India, China, and Turkey.
Reza Pahlavi's Statement on Readiness to Return to Iran
In an interview on the Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures on January 11, Reza Pahlavi expressed his readiness to return to Iran amid mass protests and called on the U.S. to take active measures at this "decisive" moment. He noted that he is already developing a plan for a transitional team.
"You have already made your mark as a person who supports peace and the fight against evil forces," he addressed Trump. "Iranians are renaming streets in your honor because they understand that you are fundamentally different from Obama or Biden. They are confident that you will not leave them unattended as has happened before," he added.
Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in the U.S. since the overthrow of his father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, advocates for regime change in Tehran. Journalist Moloud Hajizadeh noted that for many Iranians, he is a symbol of hope and a reminder of his father's era, which ended with the 1979 revolution.
Mass Protests in Iran
Since December 28, 2025, large-scale protests against the current regime have been taking place in Iran, triggered by dissatisfaction with the severe economic situation in the country. Despite harsh measures from Iranian security forces and internet shutdowns, thousands of people are taking to the streets of Tehran and other major cities. Protesters bang on pots and shout slogans such as "Death to Khamenei," referring to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and receive support from drivers honking at them from their cars.
