Reza Pahlavi Backs US-Israel Action Against Iran During Berlin Visit

Published: April 25, 2026

On April 23, 2026, Reza Pahlavi, an exiled Iranian opposition figure, was attacked in Berlin after leaving a press conference when an assailant threw a liquid resembling tomato juice from behind. (Image: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Exiled Iranian opposition figure and son of the former shah, Reza Pahlavi, visited Berlin, Germany on Thursday, April 23, where he publicly expressed support for U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran and called on Western countries to join the campaign, stating that “diplomacy has already been given ample opportunity.”

According to reports by The Guardian and Reuters, Pahlavi spoke that day at an event hosted by Germany’s Federal Press Conference organization. He criticized European countries for long “standing by” in the face of the situation in Iran, allowing authorities in Tehran to suppress their people. He questioned how many more Iranians would have to lose their lives while Western democracies delay taking action.

In terms of his position, Pahlavi clearly supports U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as a form of “humanitarian intervention” needed to overthrow the current regime. At the same time, he said he does not completely oppose diplomatic efforts, but believes all sides have already given diplomacy “enough time,” with no meaningful change in reality. He also questioned whether the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement has led to any substantive shift in the Iranian government’s behavior.

Addressing the controversy over whether to support military action against Iran, Pahlavi said the Iranian people have long been in confrontation with the current regime, and that the struggle will continue regardless of whether the international community is united—the choice, he said, lies with Western nations.

The event briefly descended into chaos. Supporters and opponents gathered outside the venue to protest. As Pahlavi was leaving after the event, a man threw a red liquid—believed to be tomato juice—at him, though he was not injured. After the incident, he waved to supporters before departing by car. Police said the individual involved was arrested at the scene, and their identity has not yet been disclosed.