Overview
- Pahlavi, who spoke at CPAC on Saturday near Dallas, urged Washington to stay the course in the war and said he is ready to lead a democratic transition, declaring, “I intend to make Iran great again.”
- More than 1,000 Iranian expatriates gathered on the National Mall in Washington to back the war and chant “USA” and “Javid shah,” with many wearing “Make Iran Great Again” hats to show support for Pahlavi.
- Pahlavi promoted his Iran Prosperity Project, a 100‑day and longer‑term recovery plan, floated future “Cyrus Accords” to normalize ties with Israel, and said he would avoid an Iraq‑style purge that could create a power vacuum.
- U.S. political figures have not formally embraced him, with President Trump saying Pahlavi “seems very nice” but questioning whether Iranians would accept his leadership.
- Backers point to deep strain inside Iran, citing inflation above 46 percent, high youth unemployment, and a January crackdown that rights groups say left thousands dead and tens of thousands detained.