U.S. President Donald Trump said it would not be appropriate for him to meet with Iran’s self‑proclaimed Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at this stage, even as protests and political instability intensify in Iran.

His comments suggest Washington isn’t ready to officially back the opposition figure as a leadership alternative.

Donald Trump, in an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Show, described Reza Pahlavi — son of Iran’s last shah — as a “nice person” but said a formal meeting would not be suitable for a sitting U.S. president. “I think that we should let everybody go out there and see who emerges,” Trump said, underlining a cautious approach toward Iran’s fragmented opposition.

The U.S.–based Pahlavi leads a monarchist faction of the Iranian opposition and has cultivated close ties with Israel, but Trump’s remarks indicate that Washington will not yet endorse him as a potential leader should the Iranian government fall.

Unrest in Iran

Iran has recently faced widespread protests driven by an economic crisis and political discontent, leading authorities to cut internet access and block communications nationwide.

Demonstrators have marched in major cities and voiced support for Pahlavi’s calls for demonstrations, although the movement remains without a unified leadership structure.

Trump’s broader stance on Iran

While steering clear of personal engagement with Pahlavi, Trump has repeatedly warned the Iranian regime against violent crackdowns on protesters. He has pledged that the United States would respond “very strongly” if Tehran targets demonstrators, a message that Pahlavi publicly thanked him for.

However, Trump’s stance reflects a balancing act: supporting Iranian protesters’ aspirations for freedom without prematurely anointing a specific leader or successor.