Reza Pahlavi urges EU to increase pressure on Iran during Brussels visit
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah and a prominent opposition figure, has used a visit to Brussels to call for stronger European pressure on Tehran. He said the Iranian leadership was acting like a "wounded animal" and warned that it would "seek revenge" as it fights for survival. During the trip, he met several members of the European Parliament.
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Pahlavi said the European Union should show the same resolve it has shown toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. He urged EU institutions to identify hidden assets and freeze what he described as illegal assets linked to the Iranian regime. His remarks were made at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, according to the supporting material.
The intervention comes as Pahlavi continues to position himself as one of the main figures in opposition to the Tehran authorities. His appeal is aimed at increasing economic and political pressure on Iran through sanctions and asset freezes. The comments also reflect a broader effort by opposition figures to keep international attention focused on the Iranian leadership.
The call for tougher measures matters because sanctions and asset freezes are among the main tools available to European governments when responding to disputes with foreign states. Pahlavi's comparison with the approach taken against Russia suggests he wants the EU to treat Iran with similar financial and diplomatic firmness. That framing is likely intended to influence lawmakers already weighing how far to go in restricting access to overseas funds.
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The Brussels meetings also underline the role of the European Parliament as a venue for exiled or opposition figures seeking support abroad. Pahlavi's presence there indicates an attempt to build political backing beyond Iran's borders, rather than relying only on public statements. The focus on hidden assets suggests the campaign is aimed not only at symbolism but at practical financial pressure.
It remains unclear whether Pahlavi's appeal will lead to any immediate policy change in Brussels. The supporting material does not say whether any lawmakers committed to specific next steps after the meetings. What happens next will depend on whether EU institutions decide to act on the call for asset freezes and additional sanctions.
