Protests demanding regime change in Iran erupted worldwide, with over 250,000 participants rallying in Munich amid a Global Day of Action against the Iranian government.
On Saturday, anti-Iran regime demonstrators gathered in major cities across the globe, calling for a change in leadership during a Global Day of Action. In Munich, Germany, over 250,000 protesters rallied, coinciding with the Munich Security Conference.
According to a press release from Munich Police, the event marked one of the largest rallies in recent years. The peaceful atmosphere was particularly notable given the high number of participants.
Protesters chanted slogans such as “change, change, regime change” and “democracy for Iran,” while waving green, white, and red flags adorned with lion and sun emblems. Some attendees were spotted wearing “Make Iran Great Again” hats.
Among those participating was exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who spoke to Reuters about the potential for military action against Iran. He suggested that such an attack could either weaken the regime or hasten its downfall.
“It’s a matter of time. We are hoping that this attack will expedite the process, and the people can be finally back in the streets and take it all the way to the ultimate regime’s downfall,” Pahlavi stated. He expressed hope that President Trump would support U.S. intervention to back the Iranian people.
On Friday, President Trump remarked that regime change in Iran would be the “best thing” during a speech to troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Pahlavi noted that many are losing faith in negotiations with the Iranian government, advocating for intervention as a means to save lives.
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who attended the Munich Security Conference, echoed Pahlavi’s sentiments during a sideline interview. He asserted that negotiating with the Iranian regime is futile, describing it as a government driven by a religious agenda that promotes destruction.
“This regime is the weakest it has been since 1979,” Graham said, adding that it has “American blood on its hands.” He encouraged protesters to continue their demonstrations and also spoke at the Global Day of Action, wearing a black “Make Iran Great Again” hat.
In addition to Munich, large demonstrations took place in cities including Toronto, Melbourne, Athens, Tokyo, London, and Los Angeles. In Toronto, an estimated 350,000 people took to the streets, according to police spokesperson Laura Brabant.
Sheila Nazarian, an Iranian American activist and Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, emphasized the significance of the global protests. “When regimes silence their people, the people eventually find their voice. Whether in the streets of Tehran or in diaspora communities around the world,” she stated.
Nazarian, who left Iran at the age of six, highlighted that these protests transcend politics. “They’re about basic human dignity, women’s rights, and the fundamental freedom to live without fear,” she added.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.