US Envoy Steve Witkoff meets exiled Iranian Crown Prince

WISE NEWS PRESS / WASHINGTON, USA

Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, held a high-level meeting with the exiled son of Iran's late Shah, Reza Pahlavi, marking the first significant contact between the administration and the opposition since anti-regime protests erupted 15 days ago.

As the Trump administration works to refine its strategy regarding the ongoing unrest in Iran, the meeting underscores a potential shift in Washington's approach to the crisis. Reports from senior U.S. officials indicate that this is the first high-level summit between the current administration and the exiled Iranian leadership to be documented since the demonstrations began.

Pahlavi prepares for a "transitional leadership" role

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has been positioning himself as a leader for a potential transition should the current regime fall. Residing in exile in the United States, Pahlavi has increased his media presence over the last two weeks, urging the Trump administration to provide active support to the protesters on the ground.

White House surprised by "organic" domestic support

Initially, the Trump administration did not view Pahlavi as a central political figure; however, officials admitted to being surprised by the slogans heard during the protests in Iran. "There is a rise in Pahlavi's popularity; people are shouting his name in many cities, and this appears organic," one official remarked. Experts suggest Pahlavi has become a nationalist focal point against Islamic radicalism, representing a "Make Iran Great Again" nostalgia for many Iranians. Data from November 2025 shows that approximately one-third of Iranians support Pahlavi, the highest rating among all opposition figures.

Death toll may exceed 5,000 amid "large-scale" crackdown

Intelligence reports shared with the U.S. highlight the severity of the situation within Iran. Assessments provided by Israel suggest the death toll has reached at least 5,000, as the Iranian regime continues a large-scale crackdown on dissent. Other reports estimate the count has surpassed 2,000 as the regime struggles to find a way out of the crisis.

Trump tells protesters "Help is on the way"

In a statement on Tuesday, President Trump addressed the Iranian people, encouraging them to continue the demonstrations and "take over state institutions". While his phrase "Help is on the way" drew significant attention, the White House has yet to provide specific details regarding the nature of this assistance. Currently, military intervention is not on the table; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly evaluating "non-kinetic" options to support the protest movement.

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