Former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Doused with Red Liquid in Germany
The exiled former Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, was doused with red liquid during a visit to Germany. The attack, captured on camera, occurred as Pahlavi greeted his supporters who were holding a rally in Berlin, accompanied by demonstrations from his opponents.
The assault, as reported by NDTV and Reuters on Friday (24/4/2026), took place when Pahlavi, dressed in a full suit, was walking on the pavement with his security team after holding a press conference at the Bundespressekonferenz building, a press conference centre, in Berlin on Thursday (23/4).
In a video circulating online, a man carrying a backpack who was walking behind Pahlavi suddenly threw the red liquid towards him. The red liquid, believed to be tomato sauce, hit the back of Pahlavi’s head, neck, and suit.
However, the 65-year-old man appeared unfazed by the attack. He continued waving to his supporters at the scene.
Security personnel quickly apprehended the attacker, whose identity has not been disclosed to the public. The motive behind the attack on Pahlavi remains unclear.
Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah and now an Iranian opposition figure, called on Western countries to join the war waged by the United States (US) and Israel against Iran during his press conference in Germany.
He also criticised the German government’s decision not to meet with him during his visit to Berlin.
Pahlavi, whose father was overthrown in the revolution that brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power in 1979, accused Europe of remaining silent and allowing the Tehran government to continue its bloody suppression of protests that killed thousands of demonstrators earlier this year.
“The question is not whether change will come. Change is on its way,” Pahlavi stated at the press conference in Berlin.
“The real question is how many Iranians will lose their lives while the Western democratic community just keeps watching,” he said.
Pahlavi seeks to return to power if Iran’s Shia theocratic regime collapses and has expressed support for US-Israeli military intervention in the Middle East. He is even attempting to position himself as a key player in his country’s future.
His name emerged as a potential opposition leader following widespread anti-government protests in Iran last year. However, the extent of his support within Iran is unclear, especially after nearly 50 years in exile abroad.