Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, was targeted in an unusual protest incident in Berlin where he was splashed with a red liquid shortly after delivering remarks criticising the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. The episode unfolded just minutes after he had addressed journalists at Germany’s federal press conference building, making the incident both sudden and highly visible in a public setting.
As Pahlavi exited the venue following his media interaction, an unidentified individual approached and threw a red substance that splashed across the back of his blazer and neck. German police acted swiftly and took the suspect into custody at the scene. However, authorities stated that the individual’s identity would not be disclosed due to strict privacy laws. Officials later indicated that the substance appeared to be tomato juice, while Pahlavi’s team described it as tomato sauce, highlighting slight differences in how the incident was interpreted.
Despite the unexpected nature of the attack, Pahlavi remained calm and composed. He did not show signs of panic or distress and instead waved to supporters who had gathered nearby before entering a waiting vehicle and leaving the area. Importantly, he was not injured during the incident, and the situation was quickly brought under control by security personnel.
Earlier during the press briefing, Pahlavi had strongly criticised the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing scepticism about the idea that Iranian leadership would suddenly shift towards a more pragmatic approach. He stated that while diplomacy should not be completely dismissed, it had already been given enough chances and had failed to produce meaningful results, suggesting that continued reliance on dialogue alone may not be effective.
Pahlavi, who is 65 years old, has been living in exile since the 1979 revolution that led to the overthrow of his father, the former Shah of Iran. Over the years, he has positioned himself as a key opposition figure and a potential alternative voice for Iran’s political future, particularly among monarchist supporters and segments of the Iranian diaspora.
His visit to Germany is part of a broader effort to rally international and European support for political change in Iran. During his remarks, he urged democratic governments to take a stronger and more active stance in supporting Iranian citizens who are seeking reform. He also raised concerns about human rights, claiming that several political prisoners had been executed in recent weeks while others had been sentenced to death.
German authorities clarified that Pahlavi’s visit is taking place in a private capacity and does not include any official meetings with the government. Officials emphasised that it is not the role of the federal government to engage formally in such political advocacy. However, he is expected to meet some political figures informally, even though there is no official endorsement.
At the same time, the visit attracted visible public attention, with hundreds of supporters gathering near the parliament to show their backing for his campaign. The presence of supporters highlighted that, despite living in exile for decades, Pahlavi continues to retain a base of support among certain groups advocating for political change in Iran.
