Munich, Germany – An estimated 250,000 people demonstrated in Munich on Saturday against the government of Iran, coinciding with the annual Munich Security Conference. The large-scale protest, exceeding organizers’ expectations, reflects growing international concern over the Islamic Republic’s domestic policies and regional influence.
The demonstration, held on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, saw protesters chanting slogans calling for regime change and waving flags bearing the emblem of the former Pahlavi dynasty – a green, white, and red flag with a lion and sun – used by Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Protesters voiced outrage over the violent suppression of nationwide protests in Iran that began in late December and peaked in January, with estimates of fatalities ranging from 3,000 to 30,000 according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Agency (HRANA).
The protests unfolded as world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, gathered in Munich for the security conference. Trump stated that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” signaling continued U.S. Pressure on Tehran. The conference, considered a leading global forum for security policy, drew over 60 world leaders and approximately 100 foreign and defense ministers.
Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, participating as a speaker at the Munich Security Conference, addressed the demonstration and called for increased international pressure on Iran. He urged the U.S. Government to avoid prolonged negotiations with the current Iranian leadership, suggesting that military intervention could potentially save lives and hasten the collapse of the regime. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since his father was overthrown in 1979, indicated he believes the Iranian government is on the verge of collapse.
“We see a matter of time. We hope that an intervention will accelerate the process and allow people to finally take to the streets and bring about the final fall of the regime,” Pahlavi said in an interview with Reuters. He emphasized that the struggle within Iran is no longer about reform versus revolution, but rather occupation versus liberation.
Pahlavi also called for coordinated demonstrations in other cities, including Los Angeles and Toronto, framing the protests as a “global day of action” in solidarity with the Iranian people. Reports indicate that demonstrations did occur in those cities, with approximately 200,000 participants in Toronto, according to social media posts.
The scale of the Munich protest prompted a significant security response from German police, with road closures and increased patrols around the conference venue, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Authorities reported over 15 additional demonstrations related to the conference taking place over the weekend.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, criticized the conference organizers for inviting opposition figures like Pahlavi while disinviting representatives of the Iranian government. In a post on X, Araghchi described the Munich Security Conference as having devolved into a “Munich circus” with regard to Iran.
The protests in Munich follow a pattern of increasing dissent within Iran, fueled by economic hardship and political repression. While authorities initially acknowledged the legitimacy of grievances, they have since blamed the unrest on foreign actors, including the United States and Israel, as well as exiled monarchist factions.
Demonstrations of support also occurred within Iran itself. On Saturday evening, residents of Tehran reportedly chanted anti-government slogans – including “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to [Ali] Khamenei!” – from their windows and rooftops, echoing the calls for regime change heard in Munich and other international cities. Chants of “Long live the Shah!” and calls for Reza Pahlavi were also reported.
The events in Munich and Tehran underscore the escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s internal political situation and its broader regional role. The protests represent a significant challenge to the Islamic Republic, and the international response will likely be a key factor in shaping the country’s future.
