German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Iran may be entering the “final days and weeks” of its current political system, telling journalists during a visit to India that the clerical leadership is approaching collapse as protests and repression intensify.
Merz said a government that relies solely on force to stay in power is “effectively finished”, while expressing hope for a peaceful end to the crisis.
“If a regime can only stay in power through violence, then it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” Merz told journalists.
“I hope there is a way to end this conflict peacefully. The mullah regime has to recognize that as well,” he added.
His remarks follow more than two weeks of nationwide protests across Iran over economic conditions and political repression. The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights says more than 600 protestors have been killed and over 10,000 arrested in a security crackdown under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A joint statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Merz condemned the violence. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has signalled readiness to push for tougher sanctions, while US President Donald Trump announced plans for 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran.
ℹ️ POLITICO
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