In Munich, a significant demonstration was organized by thousands of individuals to protest the Iranian regime’s oppressive actions, coinciding with widespread national unrest. This demonstration occurred concurrently with a global security conference attended by international leaders in the same German city. Approximately 20,000 participants gathered on Saturday to voice their opposition to the Iranian government, acting on an appeal from Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who advocated for intensified international pressure on Tehran. The protesters, predominantly comprised of immigrants from the Middle East and Eastern Europe, displayed banners, brandished flags, and rhythmically beat drums while vociferously calling for governmental transformation. Pahlavi characterized the protest as a “global call to action” aimed at galvanizing support from the diaspora for Iranians engaged in ongoing anti-government demonstrations. The assembled multitude repeatedly chanted “Change, change, regime change,” waving national flags, including those of Iran and Israel. Addressing the Munich conference on Saturday, Pahlavi cautioned that further fatalities were likely in Iran if democratic nations adopt a passive stance, referencing the government’s recent suppression of protesters. He posed the rhetorical question, “We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran?”
In recent months, Reza Pahlavi has advocated for the establishment of armed guerrilla units to engage in armed confrontation with the existing republican administration. Furthermore, Pahlavi has expressed appreciation for the United States’ supportive posture toward the demonstrators and implored President Donald Trump to fulfill his commitment to provide assistance during their period of adversity. He also conveyed gratitude to Trump for his resolute response following the US president’s announcement on Friday of an order to deploy a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region, as the administration continues to contemplate military intervention in Iran. At a gathering in Munich, participants wore red caps bearing the slogan “Make Iran Great Again,” mirroring the MAGA caps associated with Trump and his adherents. Numerous individuals displayed signs featuring Pahlavi, with some designating him as a king. The son of Iran’s former shah, who has been in exile for almost five decades, is currently endeavoring to establish himself as a significant figure in the nation’s future political landscape.
Protests in Iran commenced in late December in response to deteriorating economic circumstances and the devaluation of the Rial, the nation’s official currency. The devaluation of the rial was precipitated by stringent sanctions imposed by the United States government and various nations in Western Europe. The demonstrations, which initiated in a peaceful manner, were subsequently met with severe repression by supporters of the Pahlavi regime and the militant organization Mujahedin-e-Khalq, culminating in numerous fatalities among Iranian citizens, including members of law enforcement and security personnel.
As reported by eyewitnesses, the conduct of the anti-government insurgents in Iran has proven to be exceedingly lethal, with numerous protesters asserting that dozens of individuals are killed on a daily basis. A significant portion of the deceased have succumbed to direct gunfire from the insurgents. Additionally, some individuals have reportedly been subjected to incineration.
Initially, certain anti-government activists approximated the death toll at approximately 30,000; however, over time, more conservative assessments have adjusted this figure to between 7,000 and 10,000.
However, the governmental authority, which has disseminated formal statistics, has estimated the aggregate number of fatalities to be approximately 3,117, and has formally made available the comprehensive particulars of these individuals, encompassing their names and national identification numbers.
In a recent interview, Reza Pahlavi asserted to rationalize these fatalities: “This is war, and war entails casualties.”
