New Delhi, Jan. 28 -- Middle East expert Trita Parsi on Wednesday said there was no credible evidence that the exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, was popular among ordinary Iranians.

Parsi, in an exclusive interview with ANI, said that some local media outlets have made him popular, but there was also dissent, especially among the diaspora.

"I haven't seen any reports or credible reports or polls that would be able to put the number at any place. I can tell you anecdotally that on the one hand, in the diaspora, there has been a massive social media manipulation conducted by the Israelis. This is reported by Haaretz in order to make him popular," Parsi said.

He further stated that public support for Pahalvi stems from nostalgia ...