Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, called on Western nations to join forces against Iran and criticized the German government for not meeting him during his Berlin visit.
A man threw red liquid at Pahlavi as he left a conference in Berlin. Security quickly intervened and detained the perpetrator.
Pahlavi accused Europe of standing by while Tehran continued its violent crackdown on protests that killed thousands last year.
“The question is not whether change will come,” he said. “The real question is how many Iranians will lose their lives while the community of Western democracies continue to merely watch.”
Demonstrations were held in central Berlin following Pahlavi’s appearance, with one person detained after being splattered with red liquid.
Pahlavi, who has lived most of his life in exile, emerged as a potential opposition leader after anti-government protests erupted across Iran last year. However, Iran’s opposition movements are deeply divided and many Western governments have been hesitant to offer their support due to uncertainty about Pahlavi’s backing.
European countries, including Germany, have ruled out joining the US and Israel in attacking Iran, which began hostilities on February 28 with a series of airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pahlavi was disappointed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not offer him a meeting during his visit to Berlin. “Exercise your prerogative,” he said. “As democracies, you’re entitled to talk to whoever you want.”