Will Iran Undergo Regime Change?

Iranian opposition figures, Reza Pahlavi and Maryam Rajavi, have expressed their visions for a possible regime change, claiming the change is ‘inevitable’, after the recent conflict involving the U.S. and Iran.

The Details: Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in an interview with Fox News (Right bias), emphasized her group’s commitment to gender equality and respect for rights of ethnic and religious minorities for a new Iran. Iran's exiled crown prince, Pahlavi, also voiced his readiness to lead Iranians towards a peaceful democratic transition at a press conference in Paris, highlighting his family’s “golden age” rule which saw Iran’s yearly growth above 10% from 1965 to 1972. Both leaders emphasized the importance of an organized, popular resistance to bring about change.

For Context: These statements come following recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites by Israel and the U.S., which have led to increased tensions and uncertainty about Iran's future. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support for regime change in Iran, contradicting earlier statements from his top security advisers denying regime change as a goal.

How the Media Covered It: Fox News (Right) emphasized NCRI and Rajavi's plans for regime change, as well as their history of opposition to the current Iranian regime. NBC News (Lean Left) focused on Pahlavi's vision for regime change and his call for a peaceful and democratic transition. It included some criticism of Pahlavi, highlighting the divisive nature of his family’s legacy and his support for the Israeli airstrikes. The Hill (Center) highlighted opposition within the Republican party at Trump’s previous claims of a regime change, and quoted White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “He was just suggesting the Iranian people might want a new government.”