US President Trump rules out meeting Iranian Crown Prince Pahlavi

US President Donald Trump has declined to meet with Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah and leader of the monarchist faction of the Iranian opposition. On Thursday, Trump referred to Pahlavi as a “nice person” but stated that it would not be appropriate for him to meet with him. Trump expressed his intention to allow the Iranian people to determine their own future, saying “I think that we should let everybody go out there and see who emerges.” This stance suggests that the US is not prepared to support Pahlavi as a potential leader in Iran.

Pahlavi has been advocating for more demonstrations in response to the ongoing protests across Iran. The Iranian government has responded by cutting off internet access, which appears to be an attempt to suppress the protest movement. Trump had previously warned that he would intervene if the Iranian government targeted protesters, and reiterated this threat on Thursday.

Iran’s economic crisis, exacerbated by US sanctions, has led to widespread protests across the country. The protests have evolved from economy-focused demonstrations to broader antigovernment protests, with many appearing to be gaining momentum. Pahlavi expressed gratitude to Trump for reiterating his promise to hold the regime accountable and called on European leaders to follow suit.

The situation in Iran remains volatile, with environmental challenges, domestic unrest, and a shrinking network of allies adding to the country’s woes. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has continued to dismiss US threats, stating that Iran will not give in to its enemies.

Source: Al Jazeera