German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that the world is witnessing the “final days” of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as anti-government protests swell into the hundreds of thousands in Tehran and spread across the country.
Speaking to reporters during a two-day visit to India, Merz argued that any government that can only cling to power through violence is “effectively finished,” framing Iran’s current crackdown as a sign of political exhaustion rather than strength. His comments came amid reports of mass demonstrations in the Iranian capital, where crowds have continued to defy security forces despite arrests, internet restrictions and the use of live ammunition in previous crackdowns.
Merz’s stark assessment reflects mounting international concern over the Iranian authorities’ handling of the protests and the long-term viability of the regime. While he stopped short of predicting a precise timeline for political change in Iran, his remarks signal that Berlin views the escalating unrest as a potentially decisive turning point in the country’s modern history.
