Iran’s regime is in its final days after mass protests, Germany says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday said the embattled Iranian regime appears to be finished as mass protests continue across the country.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to India, Merz renewed calls for Iranian authorities to end their violence against demonstrators, adding that he hopes for a peaceful end to the escalating crisis.

“If a regime can only keep itself in power by force, then it’s effectively at the end. I believe we are now seeing the final days and weeks of this regime,” Merz said, in comments reported by Sky News.

“In any case, it has no legitimacy through elections in the population. The population is now rising up against this regime,” he added.

Merz’s comments come as Iran grapples with one of the most widespread anti-government demonstrations in years.

The Iranian government has claimed the prolonged protests are now under control, while human rights groups have reported that hundreds have been killed by Iranian security forces in recent weeks.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Monday that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff, has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran if the killings continue.

The demonstrations, which began in Tehran’s bazaar on Dec. 28, have been fueled by growing frustrations over a long-running economic crisis, particularly the government’s handling of a sharp fall in the nation’s currency and soaring prices.