Former Hostage Urges Trump to Plan for a Post-Iran Regime Era
Jason Rezaian, former Washington Post correspondent who spent 544 days imprisoned in Iran, urged President Donald Trump to take Tehran by surprise and prepare for a future beyond the Islamic Republic.
In a Tuesday op-ed, Rezaian recounted his 2014 arrest, which stemmed from his reporting on U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. He described being held hostage as a bargaining tool during the very negotiations he was covering.
Now the Post’s director of press freedom initiatives, Rezaian said he feels renewed hope as Iranian protesters challenge Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the regime.
U.S. Pressure on Iran Preceded Trump, But Surprise Gave Advantage
Rezaian stressed that it is incorrect to claim the U.S. never exerted pressure on Iran before Trump. “Trump inherited an architecture of sanctions and enforcement, but he extended it and applied it more aggressively,” he wrote.
He highlighted Trump’s unpredictability as a key tool, pointing to actions such as the 2020 killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June. According to Rezaian, American consistency had long been exploited by Tehran, but Trump’s approach left Iran unsure of the next move.
“In Trump, the Islamic Republic has met its match: a stronger adversary who, like their leadership, plays by his own rules,” he said.
Advice for a Smooth Transition in Iran
Rezaian warned that an orderly transition requires continuity. He noted the desire among Iranians for accountability against the old guard, but emphasized that dismantling existing institutions could harm ordinary citizens.
He also addressed the question of leadership after Khamenei, stating it is unrealistic to expect Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, long exiled, to succeed the current regime. Instead, the next leader will likely be someone already living in Iran.
Rezaian urged the Trump administration to act differently from past U.S. leaders by directly connecting with Iranian changemakers rather than relying solely on Washington experts.
Trump Encourages Protesters Amid Rising Tensions
On Tuesday, Trump encouraged Iranian citizens to continue protesting, signaling that U.S. support is available and hinting at potential intervention.
