US President Donald Trump has voiced doubts about whether the Iranian people would accept Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last deposed Shah, as their leader. In an interview with Reuters, Trump described Pahlavi as a very polite man but said he was uncertain about how much support Pahlavi would have inside Iran. He added that the situation had not yet reached a stage where such leadership could be confirmed.

Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for decades, remains one of the most recognizable Iranian political figures abroad. Born in Tehran in 1960 and once designated crown prince, his prospects for rule ended after the 1979 revolution. Pahlavi has recently called on protesters to bring down Iran’s current ruling system.

Trump’s remarks, following his earlier statement that he had no plans to meet Pahlavi, have further highlighted questions about Pahlavi’s leadership viability and domestic acceptance within Iran.