Over 200,000 Protest Iranian Regime in Munich as Reza Pahlavi Calls for US Military Intervention

Germany - Ekhbary News Agency

Over 200,000 Protest Iranian Regime in Munich as Reza Pahlavi Calls for US Military Intervention

Munich, Germany witnessed a massive demonstration on Saturday, with organizers estimating over 200,000 participants – doubling their initial forecasts – taking to the streets to protest against the Iranian authorities. This significant rally unfolded in the vicinity of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), a crucial annual forum for global foreign policy and security discussions, adding a layer of international prominence to the event.

The 'Munich Circle' group organized this march under the slogan 'Human Rights and Freedom for Iran: International Solidarity with the Iranian People,' strategically leveraging the presence of political and military leaders from around the world attending the MSC. The conference, which commenced on Friday and concluded on Sunday, is widely regarded as the premier global gathering for security policy experts, drawing over 60 world leaders and approximately 100 foreign and defense ministers.

Local Munich authorities reported more than 15 additional demonstrations linked to the conference throughout the weekend, underscoring the heightened political atmosphere. These protests significantly increased the workload for local police. The conference venue itself, the luxurious Bayerischer Hof Hotel in the city center, was already a high-security zone, complete with road closures and extensive police checkpoints, reflecting the sensitive nature of the discussions and the potential for unrest.

A prominent figure at both the demonstration and the Security Conference was the Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi. In his addresses, Pahlavi controversially advocated for a US military intervention in Iran, asserting that such action could save lives and expedite the 'definitive fall of the regime.' He further elaborated in an interview with Reuters, stating there were clear signs that the Iranian government was on the brink of collapse, and that an external attack could weaken it or accelerate its demise. Pahlavi, who resides in the United States, has lived outside Iran since before his father, the last Shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, granting him a unique historical perspective on Iranian governance.

Pahlavi expressed profound appreciation for the efforts of protesters, not only in Munich but also across the globe. He remarked, 'Today, thousands of people from Munich to Toronto and Los Angeles have joined my call for a global day of action in solidarity with the Iranian people. They are sending a clear message to the leaders of Western democracies to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people.'

The opposition leader characterized the current period as an 'hour of deep danger,' compelling the world to choose between solidarity with the Iranian people or appeasement of the Iranian leadership. He declared, 'The fate of Iran is not just an Iranian matter. It is a decisive test for global security in our era. For almost half a century, the Islamic Republic has acted as a revolutionary enterprise, exporting instability through its proxies, undermining the sovereignty of its neighbors, fueling conflicts in various regions, and pursuing its nuclear ambitions.' Pahlavi concluded that 'something irreversible has changed,' asserting that 'the struggle in my country today is not a struggle between reform and revolution. It is a struggle between occupation and liberation.'

In a sharp rebuke, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticized the decision to withdraw the invitation for Iranian authorities to the conference while providing a platform to opposition figures, including Pahlavi. Via a message on X, Araqchi lamented that the Munich Security Conference, typically regarded as a serious and prestigious event, had devolved into a 'Munich circus' concerning Iran, highlighting the deep diplomatic rift.

Domestically, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates over 7,000 deaths due to the Iranian authorities' repression of anti-government protesters. These demonstrations, fueled by the precarious economic situation, erupted in late December and reached their most violent peak on January 8 and 9. While the intensity of protests has subsided, activists continue to track casualties and fear the death toll could rise. Iranian authorities, while acknowledging some legitimate grievances, have consistently attributed the unrest to organized groups funded by the United States and Israel, as well as monarchist factions operating from exile.

In a poignant display of ongoing dissent, Iranians once again chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic on Saturday, this time from their windows and rooftops. This resurgence occurred more than a month after the initial anti-government protests were brutally suppressed. Chants of 'Death to the dictator!' and 'Death to (Ali) Khamenei!', Iran's supreme leader, were reportedly heard in unison from homes in northern Tehran around 8:00 PM local time. Other notable slogans included 'Long live the Shah!' and 'This is the national slogan: Reza, Reza Pahlavi!', directly referencing the son of the last Iranian monarch, whose overthrow in the 1979 Islamic Revolution led to the current clerical political system.

Ekhbary News Agency