As U.S. and Israeli air forces continue devastating military strikes against Iran's leadership and facilities, intense discussions have erupted over who would rule the country if the Iranian regime were to collapse.
The biggest question raised by Iran experts is whether fragmented opposition groups could unite and defeat the regime.
Lothan Bazargan, an Iranian political and human rights activist imprisoned by the regime for dissident activities in the 1980s, told Fox Digital News that full integration sets a dangerous precedent for the opposition. “Unity doesn't mean everyone stands under my banner.”
A panoramic view of Tehran, Iran, with smoke visible in the distance following an explosion in the city on March 2, 2026.
He stated, “This model has failed Iran once before.” In 1979, one man (Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini) claimed he did not seek the position, thereby usurping moral authority and ultimately consolidating absolute power. Automatically positioning someone who hasn't lived in Iran for decades as the interim authority over 90 million people is inappropriate. It will fuel more distrust.
He also cautioned against a scenario like Venezuela's, where Nicolás Maduro was replaced by his protégé Delcy Rodríguez.
Maryam Mamesadji, Senior Research Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and Founder/Director of the Cyrus Forum for Iran's Future, told Fox News Digital: “The Crown Prince (Reza Pahlavi) bears the greatest responsibility in helping unify opposition forces because he is the leader. Establishing genuine alliances and cooperation benefits everyone.”
She added, “He could start by reconciling with key figures who once worked with him, while saboteurs within his own ranks attack others through regime manipulation and infiltration. It's easy to assume that because he's popular, he doesn't need others. But there's still a lot of hard work ahead.”
Iranian Clerical Elite Exposed After Qom Construction Strike, Succession Choices in Jeopardy Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi addresses a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Researcher, writer, and activist Reza Farnood told Fox News Digital, "In 48 years of activism and struggle, I have never witnessed such widespread unity and alliance. Even those who held strong leftist views for years and staunchly opposed the King and the Pahlavi family are now openly supporting the Prince. Within Iran, people are openly and boldly declaring his name," he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he declared his name, he claims his name,“ he claims his name, he claims his name,” he claims his name,“ he claims his name,” he claims his name,“ he claims his name,” he claims his name,“ he claims his name,” he claims his name, he claims his name, he claims his name, he claims his name," he claims his name, he claims his name.
Others remain skeptical of Pahlavi. Iran expert Alireza Nad stated: “Unfortunately, the Iranian opposition is more divided than ever. I blame Reza Pahlavi and his team for this. Take the announcement of the new Kurdish-Iranian Alliance, for example. As soon as it was formed, Pahlavi attacked the alliance and labeled them ‘separatists’...” But when he learned President Trump had given Pahlavi's leadership, that was a major statement."
January 8, 2026, Tehran, Iran: Cars burn on the street during protests against currency devaluation. (Shinger/WANA (West Asia News Agency), Reuters)
Nader stated: “The Kurds are highly organized and capable. Moreover, they are armed. Anyone seeking to liberate Iran must collaborate with them. This regime is an entrenched system in Iran—an ideology and belief system that cannot be uprooted by airstrikes alone. Furthermore, this regime has been preparing for this moment for decades. Individual leaders are not as crucial as the system itself.”
The flamboyant anti-American cleric Ali Reza Alavi is seen as a contender to replace Iran's Khamenei.
However, while many claim the Pahlavis should be the rightful successors to bring democracy to Iran, others point to the influential Iranian exile group the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), which has attracted supporters including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
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Paris-based leader Maryam Rajavi stated her support for a secular interim government. Ali Safavi, a foreign affairs committee official for the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital that the group “has consistently maintained that unity should be built on principles of republicanism, popular sovereignty, human rights, and the separation of religion and state, rather than on personalities or nostalgia for past regimes.”
The NCRI is an umbrella organization for groups affiliated with the MEK.
Andrew Galili, policy director for the National Union for a Democratic Iran (NUFDI), defended Balavi's position: “No one within the Islamic Republic possesses legitimacy among the Iranian people, nor is anyone a credible partner for the United States.” Trump claims Israeli attack disrupted leadership discussions, eliminating Iran's successor seat
He added, “Regarding opposition unity, the pro-democracy opposition is far more united than anyone imagines.” At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, a broad coalition coalesced around Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and four key principles for democratic transition. It included monarchists, republicans, human rights advocates, and minority representatives—all committed to establishing a democratic, territorially intact Iran."
On January 10, 2026, members of the Iranian community gathered at Madrid's Cibeles Square in Spain to demonstrate in support of anti-regime protests.
Galili asserted, “When people say the opposition is ‘fragmented,’ they typically include groups like the MEK, which is widely condemned within Iran, lacks democratic credentials or aspirations, or is a separatist movement that cannot reflect what Iranians—including ethnic minorities—truly desire. The genuine democratic opposition has united. The world and international media should recognize this.”
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