‘We're in the testing phase’: Trump admin eyeing Iran’s parliament speaker as US-backed leader - Politico

The Trump administration is exploring whether Iran's parliament speaker could serve as a US-backed leader in a potential government transition, according to Politico, signaling a shift in how Washington might approach regime change in Tehran. The effort reflects the administration's focus on testing possible alternatives to Iran's current Islamic Republic structure, though officials describe it as still in an exploratory phase. Such a move would represent a significant departure from decades of US-Iran hostility and raises questions about whether the Trump White House is laying groundwork for potential intervention or negotiation strategies. The identification of internal Iranian figures willing to work with the US could reshape regional dynamics if pursued, though the feasibility of such a scenario remains uncertain. Any attempt to install US-backed leadership in Iran would face substantial obstacles, including entrenched Revolutionary Guard power structures and resistance from hard-line Iranian factions.