Trump Envoy Witkoff Holds Secret Meeting with Former Iranian Crown Prince Pahlavi

Is the U.S. Quietly Preparing for the Collapse of the Iranian Regime?

Axios, a U.S. online media outlet, reported on January 13 (local time) that Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East envoy under President Donald Trump, held a secret meeting with Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, in connection with the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

A senior U.S. official told Axios that Envoy Witkoff met with former Crown Prince Pahlavi, who is currently in exile in the United States. This marks the first high-level contact between the Trump administration and an Iranian opposition leader amid the escalating anti-government protests in Iran.

Reza Pahlavi, former Crown Prince of Iran. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In an interview with CBS the previous day, former Crown Prince Pahlavi stated, "The best way to minimize casualties in Iran is for the United States to intervene more quickly," urging the Trump administration to intervene in support of the protests and to pursue regime change in Iran.

He also said, "President Trump stands in solidarity with the people of Iran," revealing that he has communicated with the Trump administration. Given these remarks and the reported meeting, it can be inferred that he was referring to his meeting with Envoy Witkoff.

On the same day, President Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social, saying, "Patriots of Iran, keep protesting. Occupy your (government) institutions," and added, "A helping hand is on its way (to Iran)."

If the meeting between Envoy Witkoff and former Crown Prince Pahlavi did take place, it could be interpreted as the United States quietly preparing for the potential collapse of Iran's authoritarian theocratic regime.

Among Iranian protesters, many are chanting slogans in support of restoring the Pahlavi monarchy. Former Crown Prince Pahlavi has positioned himself as Iran's "transitional leader."

Initially, President Trump had distanced himself from former Crown Prince Pahlavi, stating in an interview with the conservative radio program "The Hugh Hewitt Show" that he would not support him. However, a senior official told Axios, "The Trump administration is surprised to hear Pahlavi's name being chanted at protest sites."

On this day, the White House National Security team held a meeting to discuss responses to the protests in Iran. President Trump did not attend. A senior official told Axios that discussions within the Trump administration regarding Iran are still at a relatively early stage, saying, "We are not at the point of making decisions about military action at this time."

According to sources, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a recent closed-door meeting that, for now, the administration is considering nonviolent responses to support the Iranian protesters.

During a visit to the Ford plant in Detroit on the same day, President Trump was asked about the meaning of the "helping hand toward Iran" he had previously mentioned. He replied, "That's something you will have to find out for yourself," declining to give a direct answer. He added, "I've heard various numbers (regarding protester casualties), but whichever it is, it's a lot," and emphasized, "It's far too many."

Axios reported that Israel has shared with the United States its assessment that at least 5,000 protesters have died in Iran. While the exact number has not been confirmed, CBS News, citing sources inside Iran, reported that at least 12,000 and possibly up to 20,000 people have died in the current protests.