BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he believes Iran’s ruling establishment is entering the final phase of its grip on power, as mounting pressure from nationwide anti-government protests has resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Merz made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his official visit to Bengaluru, India, on Tuesday (January 13, 2026). He argued that a government relying primarily on violence to maintain authority is, by definition, showing signs of terminal weakness.
“If a government can only survive through the use of force, then, in principle, that rule is already approaching its end,” Merz said.
According to the German leader, recent developments indicate that Iran has entered a critical and decisive period. “I believe we are witnessing the final days—perhaps even the final weeks—of this regime,” he added.
Condemnation of Iranian Security Crackdown
After remaining publicly silent for several days, Merz addressed the large-scale protests unfolding across Iran, strongly condemning what he described as the brutal and disproportionate use of force by Iranian security forces against civilian demonstrators.
“I urge the leaders in Tehran to protect their people, rather than intimidate and threaten them,” Merz said.
He further argued that the Iranian government’s repressive response reflects political fragility and panic, not state strength.
Protests Spread Nationwide, Death Toll Mounts
The protest movement in Iran erupted on December 28, initially centered around Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, sparked by a deepening economic crisis and the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial. The demonstrations quickly spread to other cities and evolved into a broader challenge to the theocratic system that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Clashes between protesters and security forces have intensified in recent days. Iranian authorities have yet to release official casualty figures.
However, the U.S.-based human rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that at least 646 people have been killed, including 512 protesters and 134 members of Iran’s security forces. More than 1,000 people have reportedly been injured, while over 10,700 individuals have been detained since the protests began.
Iran Pushes Back Against European Support
Amid growing international scrutiny, Iranian authorities summoned diplomats representing France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom on Monday (January 12, local time). The move was intended to protest what Tehran described as European support for the anti-government demonstrations.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the diplomats were shown footage of damage allegedly caused by “rioters” and were urged to instruct their governments to withdraw official statements backing the protesters.
(Faisal/FKY)
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