German chancellor predicts imminent fall of Iranian regime amid protests

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Iran's political leadership is approaching its collapse, framing the ongoing mass protests as a sign of the regime's terminal phase. During an official visit to India, Merz asserted that a government reliant solely on violence to retain control has effectively lost its legitimacy and is nearing its end.

A Regime "Effectively Finished"

"When a regime can only maintain power through violence, it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime," Merz told reporters. His remarks represent one of the most definitive and high-level predictions from a Western leader regarding the outcome of the unrest that has swept Iran for months, sparked by economic discontent and demands for political change.

Calls for a Peaceful Transition

The chancellor expressed hope for a non-violent resolution, noting that Germany is coordinating closely with the United States, Britain, and France. "The foreign ministers are in close contact with each other to ensure that there can be a peaceful transition in Iran to a democratically legitimized government," he stated. This emphasis on coordinated Western diplomacy highlights the international dimension of the crisis and a shared desire to avoid further regional instability.

Context and Implications

Merz's comments significantly raise the diplomatic pressure on Tehran, aligning European rhetoric more closely with the forceful condemnations often issued by Washington. They come amid a severe internet blackout in Iran and reports of hundreds of casualties and thousands of arrests. By openly forecasting the regime's demise, Merz is seeking to bolster the morale of protestors while signaling that Western powers are preparing for a potential political transition, though the pathway to such an outcome remains deeply uncertain.