Former President Donald Trump recently made clear his position that the U.S. should not involve itself in regime change efforts in Iran. Speaking with podcaster Patrick Bet-David, Trump was asked about the possibility of the U.S. backing efforts to restore the family of Iran’s last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Trump dismissed the idea, stating, “We can’t get totally involved in all that.”
Trump also discussed his approach to Iran during his presidency, which included withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and implementing sanctions that greatly damaged Iran’s economy. Under his administration, Iran’s oil exports dropped dramatically, and its GDP fell by more than half. Despite his hardline approach, Trump expressed a desire for Iran to prosper, as long as it does not develop nuclear weapons.
In a separate interview with Al Arabiya, Trump reaffirmed his stance that Iran should not be allowed to obtain nuclear arms. He acknowledged that while Iran may be moving toward nuclear capabilities, this would not have been the case under his leadership. Trump also praised the Iranian people, calling them “great negotiators” and smart businesspeople, while warning that the country is facing “danger,” particularly due to its involvement in regional conflicts.
Trump’s comments come amid increasing tensions in the Middle East, with Iran’s support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah contributing to instability. As Israel’s war with Hamas escalates, Trump suggested that Iran’s involvement could pose greater risks than previously anticipated, but he refrained from making any specific predictions about the country’s future.