Global Protests against Iran regime draw hundreds of thousands

Global Protests against Iran regime draw hundreds of thousands

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets worldwide on Saturday in coordinated protests against Iran’s leadership, answering a call from exiled royal figure Reza Pahlavi for a “global day of action.”

The largest gatherings were reported in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto, with smaller rallies in Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Sydney and London. Organisers in Munich estimated the crowd at 250,000, while Toronto participants claimed attendance of up to 350,000.

Addressing supporters in Munich, Pahlavi denounced Tehran’s crackdown on recent nationwide protests and told demonstrators inside Iran: “Know that you are not alone, and today the world stands with you.”

His daughter, Noor Pahlavi, speaking in Los Angeles, urged the United States to halt nuclear negotiations with Iran, calling them “negotiations with murderers.”

President Donald Trump said on Friday that a change in Iran’s government would be “the best thing that could happen,” though he did not explicitly endorse Pahlavi as a future leader. In previous remarks, Trump described Pahlavi as “very nice” but questioned whether he had sufficient support inside Iran.

Protests within Iran began on 28 December, initially driven by economic hardship and rising living costs before spreading to more than 100 cities. Demonstrations have evolved into broader anti-government unrest.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says it has confirmed 6,872 protest-related deaths, including more than 150 children. Iranian authorities have acknowledged at least 3,000 deaths, stating some were security personnel. Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult.

Some protesters inside Iran have chanted Pahlavi’s name and called for his political return. However, critics question whether his leadership would ultimately deliver a democratic system nearly five decades after the 1979 revolution ended the monarchy.

Key Takeaways

1. Global Mobilisation – Large-scale protests took place across Europe and North America.

2. Casualties Disputed – Death toll figures vary widely between activists and Iranian authorities.

3. Leadership Questioned – Pahlavi is positioning himself as an alternative, but debate remains over his democratic credentials.

SOURCE: BBC