German Chancellor Says Iran’s Ruling Regime May Be Near Its End

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Iran’s clerical leadership could be living through its “final days and weeks,” as the country faces widespread unrest and a violent crackdown by security forces. Speaking during a visit to India, Merz said a government that relies on force to stay in power has effectively lost its legitimacy.

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests since late December, initially triggered by economic hardship but now increasingly directed at the country’s political leadership. Rights groups say hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained, though independent verification remains difficult due to restrictions on media and internet access.

Merz called on Iranian authorities to end the use of violence against demonstrators and pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Germany is coordinating closely with the United States and European partners as international concern grows over Iran’s stability and the potential regional impact of the unrest.