Maxime Prévot: the decision on Iran's leadership rests only with Iranians

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, responding on Friday, 23 October 2026, to an Iranian activist who had asked Belgium to recognise Prince Reza Pahlavi as the legitimate representative of the Iranian people and the unifying leader of the democratic opposition, wrote that the decision on Iran's leadership must rest solely with the Iranian people and that Belgium cannot announce such a recognition.

In a post on X, Mr Prévot said that other individuals and groups who consider themselves representatives of the opposition have also contacted him, and that Belgium's engagement must reflect the diversity of the opposition and of Iranians abroad. He added that he had not opposed inviting Prince Reza Pahlavi to parliament and that the decision to cancel the official hosting was taken by the Chamber of Representatives, not by him.

Belgian parliament's invitation to Prince Reza Pahlavi cancelled

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives dropped its plan to officially host Prince Reza Pahlavi on 5 November. According to reports, a meeting of the parliamentary group leaders failed to reach agreement after cautious advice from the foreign ministry, led by Mr Prévot himself, which cited among other things security considerations. The Reformist Movement (MR), the French-speaking liberal party that had proposed the invitation, said there is no obstacle to holding a private meeting with the Prince. Meanwhile, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has invited Prince Reza Pahlavi to speak at the country's Royal Military Academy on 6 November, and he has accepted the invitation.

In recent days, groups linked to the MEK (People's Mojahedin) had launched a campaign against the invitation; DIAR examined this campaign in an analysis.

The Islamic Republic's ambassador stays in Brussels

The Belgian foreign minister also rejected the Reformist Movement's proposal to expel the Islamic Republic's ambassador, saying Belgium needs a diplomatic presence to deliver firm messages to Tehran and to monitor developments. He said Belgium condemns violations of human rights and women's rights in Iran, supports Iranians' demand for democracy and is ready to consider further sanctions.

Mr Prévot's remarks come as Prince Reza Pahlavi himself has said many times that his role in the transition is temporary and that the future of Iran's political system will be decided by the people in a referendum on a new constitution and in free elections. During the Dey uprising of December 2025 and January 2026, his name was also repeated in protesters' slogans in cities across Iran, and rallies of Iranians abroad in his support have continued in recent months; among them, the gratitude of journalists abroad for his freedom prize.

Belgium's foreign minister rejected recognising Prince Reza Pahlavi, but also refused to expel the Islamic Republic's ambassador.