Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was doused with a red liquid on Thursday as he left a press conference in Berlin, an incident captured on video that quickly spread across social media. The footage shows security personnel grappling with a man believed to be the protester, while other guards rushed Pahlavi away from the crowd. German police detained the suspect after tackling him to the ground, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Pahlavi, who has lived in the United States as a political dissident since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has been trying to rally opposition to Iran's current regime. However, his family's history remains a flashpoint. His father, the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, overthrew Iran's democratically elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, in a 1953 coup backed by U.S. and British intelligence. That legacy fuels animosity among many Iranians, who see the crown prince as tainted by authoritarianism.
The Berlin press conference was part of Pahlavi's broader effort to position himself as a future leader for Iran. He has made appearances at conservative events in the U.S., including the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year, where he urged Iranians to rise up against the Islamic Republic. In Berlin, he repeated those calls, demanding free elections and more European support for anti-regime activists.
“The choice is yours. With or without the world, with or without Europe, with or without Germany, our fight goes on,” Pahlavi told reporters. “We will not rest until our nation is free, until our people have their dignity restored, until justice is served.”
Though not officially invited by German officials, Pahlavi spoke at a venue that drew both supporters and critics. When asked about the possibility of restoring the monarchy, he sidestepped a direct answer, saying only that Iranians should decide their government model through elections. He also addressed ties to Israel, describing the relationship as “biblical” and touting his connections there—a stance that further inflames tensions with Tehran, which is currently clashing with Israel.
The incident in Berlin comes amid heightened scrutiny of Iranian dissidents abroad and ongoing protests inside Iran. Pahlavi's efforts to build international backing reflect a broader struggle for influence among opposition figures, even as the regime cracks down on dissent. For now, the red liquid attack has become a vivid symbol of the deep divisions surrounding his role in Iran's political future.
Meanwhile, the security breach at the event echoes other recent incidents in Europe, where exiled figures have faced harassment. The Berlin police investigation into the protester is ongoing.
