Trump envoy quietly meets Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi as U.S. weighs response to protests
An Axios scoop, confirmed by Fox News and acknowledged by the White House, says Trump ally Steve Witkoff secretly met exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi over the weekend — the first high‑level contact between the administration and Iran’s opposition since nationwide protests began. Pahlavi had publicly urged Trump to intervene and accused Ayatollah Khamenei of using an internet blackout to hide a crackdown, while Trump has been publicly urging Iranians to keep protesting and warning Iran of severe consequences even as he downplayed personally meeting Pahlavi.
📌 Key Facts
- The White House acknowledged a secret weekend meeting between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi — reported as the first high‑level contact between the Trump administration and the Iranian opposition since the protests began.
- Fox News reported the White House acknowledgment, citing an Axios scoop as the basis for the account of the meeting.
- On Jan. 9 Pahlavi posted on X addressing Trump directly, urging him to 'be prepared to intervene' and accusing Ayatollah Khamenei of using an internet blackout to conceal a brutal crackdown on protesters.
- Former President Trump posted on Truth Social urging 'Iranian Patriots' to 'KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!', claiming 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY,' and warning that Iran would 'pay hell' if it continued killing protesters.
- In a Hugh Hewitt interview where Trump threatened Iran with severe consequences, he also publicly cast doubt on whether he had personally met Pahlavi — making Witkoff’s contact a departure from Trump’s stated public line.
- The Witkoff–Pahlavi contact occurred as the U.S. was publicly weighing its response to the unrest in Iran, adding to tensions between public statements and behind‑the‑scenes engagement.
📊 Relevant Data
Ethnic minorities such as Kurds, Baluch, and Arabs comprised 97% of executions on political charges in Iran from 2010 to 2024, despite these groups making up approximately 11-15% of the population (Kurds 7-10%, Arabs 2-3%, Baloch 2%).
A geography of protest: Inside the rise of Iran's minority factor — Atlantic Council
In the 2022-2023 protests in Iran, fatalities in ethnic periphery areas accounted for between 40% and over 50% of the roughly 500 civilians killed, with ethnic minorities facing disproportionate violence.
A geography of protest: Inside the rise of Iran's minority factor — Atlantic Council
Support for Reza Pahlavi remained stable between 2022 and 2025, with roughly one-third of Iranians as strong supporters, one-third strongly opposing, and the remaining third neutral or moderate, but support is lower in provinces with higher ethnic minority populations.
Iran protests 2026: our surveys show Iranians agree more on regime change than what might come next — The Conversation
70-80% of Iranians across various demographics (provinces, rural/urban areas, age groups, gender) indicated they would not vote for the Islamic Republic in surveys from 2021 to 2025, with support for regime change being the most popular position.
Iran protests 2026: our surveys show Iranians agree more on regime change than what might come next — The Conversation
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms, via Fox News’ reporting off the Axios scoop, that the White House acknowledges Steve Witkoff’s secret weekend meeting with Reza Pahlavi as the first high‑level contact between the Trump administration and the Iranian opposition since protests began.
- Details Pahlavi’s Jan. 9 X post addressing Trump directly, urging him to 'be prepared to intervene' and accusing Ayatollah Khamenei of using the internet blackout to mask a brutal crackdown.
- Quotes Trump’s recent Truth Social message telling 'Iranian Patriots' to 'KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!' and claiming 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY,' plus his statement that Iran has been warned it will 'pay hell' if it continues killing protesters.
- Highlights that, in the same Hugh Hewitt interview where Trump threatened Iran with severe consequences, he publicly cast doubt on personally meeting Pahlavi, making Witkoff’s contact a departure from Trump’s stated line.