Reza Pahlavi said President Donald Trump's threats to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure send a mixed signal to the people of Iran.
The remarks highlight a growing tension between the U.S. administration's strategy of maximum pressure and the goals of Iranian opposition movements seeking liberation. Pahlavi said that targeting the general population undermines the credibility of the U.S. as a partner for democratic change.
During an interview on Politico’s program "The Conversation," Pahlavi addressed threats made by Trump in March 2024 [2]. He questioned the intent behind the rhetoric, asking, "Are you here to liberate us or further hurt us?"
Pahlavi said that the U.S. should focus its actions on the ruling authorities rather than the public. He said that targeting the regime is the only effective way to support the Iranian people. "What helps us is when you hit the regime and its infrastructure," Pahlavi said.
The exiled royal previously touched upon these themes during a press conference on June 23, 2025 [1]. He said that threatening civilians is counter-productive and harms those who may actually support a change in government.
Other international leaders have expressed similar concerns regarding the rhetoric. Sir Keir Starmer said that Trump’s threat that a whole civilization would die unless Iran ends the war is wrong.
While some reports suggest Trump's warnings were focused on the regime's response to protesters, Pahlavi said that the language used creates an atmosphere of fear for civilians. He continues to advocate for a U.S. policy that distinguishes between the Iranian state and its citizens.
“"Are you here to liberate us or further hurt us?"”
This critique reflects a strategic divide in how to handle the Iranian regime. While the U.S. executive branch has used extreme rhetoric to deter state actions, opposition leaders like Pahlavi fear this approach alienates the civilian population, potentially driving them toward the regime out of fear rather than away from it.
