Trump eyes Iranian-American leaders as possible allies in regime transition

As the United States prepares for diplomatic talks with Iran, the White House is reportedly consulting prominent Iranian-Americans who could play a role in a transitional governance structure should Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei be toppled.

A source familiar with American efforts to explore alternatives to the current Iranian regime told The National that US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is closely involved. Kushner is helping assemble a group of Iranian-American business leaders to advise on the formation of a transitional entity to govern Iran in the event of a regime collapse, the source said. A second source confirmed Kushner’s involvement. The White House declined to comment.

The source added that the Trump administration is considering convening a meeting of Iranian opposition figures in Palm Beach, Florida, where the President’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located. “The meeting could happen as soon as this weekend, but logistics are complex,” the source said, noting that it was unclear whether the event would take place at Mar-a-Lago itself or nearby.

Trump is weighing multiple courses of action regarding Iran, each with political and geopolitical risks, as US officials prepare to meet for nuclear talks in Oman on Friday. “Deep concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program and other crucial issues, including the range of its ballistic missiles and treatment of its people, could provide Trump with a way to avoid military conflict,” the report noted.

However, the presence of an “armada” off Iran and prior statements that the US is “locked and loaded” mean that backing away from military action could inflame Iranian opinion. Many would interpret it as emboldening the regime, particularly after Trump encouraged Iranians to keep protesting, stating that “help is on its way.”

America’s Iranian diaspora, the largest of any country, numbers over 500,000, including many successful and influential business leaders advocating for the end of Khamenei’s regime and greater openness in Iran.

Among prominent voices pushing for regime change is Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch. Pahlavi has a wide network of supporters abroad, and his name was reportedly chanted during recent protests in Iran. He has described himself as a potential “transitional leader” and emphasized that he does not seek a broader political position unless chosen by the Iranian people. The extent of Pahlavi’s involvement in ongoing White House discussions remains unclear.

US delegation talks in Oman will be led by Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi representing Tehran.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that diplomacy remains Trump’s “first option.” She added, however, that the President “has many options at his disposal, aside from diplomacy, as the commander-in-chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world.” Leavitt said Trump’s demands include “zero nuclear capability” for Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that for talks to be “meaningful,” they must address Iran’s ballistic missile range, sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region, nuclear program, and treatment of its own people.

Meanwhile, Khamenei warned that any US attack on Iran would trigger a regional conflict.

Trump has relied heavily on trusted members of his inner circle, including Kushner and Witkoff, for foreign policy negotiations. Both were heavily involved in the Trump administration’s Board of Peace initiative for Gaza.

Analysts, however, remain skeptical about the outcome. Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Tehran is portraying US willingness to return to talks as a sign of weakness. Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, warned that Israel’s lobbying for strikes could pressure Trump toward military action. “He’s just not going to have the energy to constantly push back against the Israelis,” Parsi said.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, former British ambassador to Yemen and now senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, echoed the caution. “It is hard to see Tehran conceding enough for the US to credibly claim a breakthrough. Military conflict is more likely than not, because I don’t think the US can walk away without major concessions without a significant reputational loss to the President,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva