Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi calls for regime change at CPAC

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, called for regime change in Iran during remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on 28 March, aligning himself with the rhetoric of Donald Trump and urging Washington to maintain its current approach toward Tehran.

Speaking to a receptive audience in Grapevine, Texas, Pahlavi said, "President Trump is making America great again. I intend to make Iran great again," and added, "This regime in its entirety must go."

According to Al Jazeera, he framed a potential political transition in Iran in ideological terms, saying, "Can you imagine Iran going from 'Death to America' to 'God Bless America'?" Some attendees responded with chants of "Long live the king!"

The appearance came as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran marked its first month, with the sources reporting at least 1,937 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries in Iran, alongside wider regional disruptions including missile activity and reported damage to facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump, while acknowledging Pahlavi's presence at the conference, expressed reservations about his prospects inside Iran. Pahlavi "looks like a very nice person," Trump said, but he suggested limited domestic appeal, adding, "It would seem to me that somebody from within, maybe, would be more appropriate," when discussing potential future leadership in Iran.

The war has also highlighted divisions within the United States. While 59% of the general public opposes the conflict, support among Republicans stands at 71%, according to the sources. Within conservative circles, however, some prominent voices have criticised the intervention.

Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, along with younger "America First" activists, have argued against overseas military involvement. Benjamin Williams, a marketing specialist for Young Americans for Liberty, said, "We did not want to see more wars. We wanted actual America First policies, and Trump was very explicit about that," adding, "It does feel like a betrayal, for sure."

Analysts cited in the sources said Iran's government is unlikely to collapse quickly and may instead become more entrenched as the conflict continues into its second month. Pahlavi, who retains support among parts of the Iranian diaspora, has also faced criticism for supporting military action despite its impact on civilians.