'Ayatollahs’ Regime Living Out Its Final Days’: German Chancellor Urges Iran To End Violence

Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 16:15 IST

Friedrich Merz says Iran’s Ayatollahs’ regime is nearing collapse as public resistance grows, urging peaceful change and warning of more EU sanctions amid ongoing protests.

Friedrich Merz says Iran’s Ayatollahs’ regime is nearing collapse as public resistance grows, urging peaceful change and warning of more EU sanctions amid ongoing protests. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday said Iran’s ruling clerical establishment is nearing the end of its rule, declaring that the ayatollahs’ regime is living out its “final days and weeks" as public resistance grows.

Merz said Iran’s leadership was on the brink of collapse, arguing that when a government relies solely on force to maintain control, it signals exhaustion rather than strength. “We are probably witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime. It has no electoral legitimacy, and the population is rising up," he said.

He expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved peacefully, stressing that Iran’s authorities must recognise the situation before further violence occurs.

Earlier, Merz had urged Iran’s leadership to protect its citizens instead of threatening them, sharply criticising what he described as the regime’s violence against its own people. “The regime’s violence against its own population is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It must end immediately," he said in a social media post.

The German chancellor also warned of tougher international measures, saying Germany and its partners are working on additional sanctions to increase pressure on Tehran. “To underscore this message, we are working on further EU sanctions," he added.

His remarks come amid sustained unrest in Iran, where protests have continued despite official claims that the situation is under control. European leaders have stepped up criticism of Tehran’s handling of the demonstrations, and the European Union has already imposed sanctions over human rights concerns, with the possibility of further coordinated action now under discussion.

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