Iranian Rulers Nearing Their ‘Final Days’: German Chancellor

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Iran’s current rulers are nearing their “final days and weeks,” casting doubt on the legitimacy of Tehran’s leadership amid widespread and intensifying nationwide protests.
Speaking during a visit to India on Tuesday, Merz said the scale and intensity of public anger in Iran indicate that the regime is struggling to maintain its grip on power. “I believe we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” he said, according to a report by British news agency Reuters.
The German Chancellor argued that when a government can sustain itself only through violence, it signals that its time is effectively coming to an end. He noted that ordinary Iranians have risen up against the authorities, reflecting deep-rooted public dissatisfaction.
The protests in Iran initially erupted due to a severe economic crisis but have since evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the country’s long-standing religious rule. In this context, Merz called on Tehran to halt the use of lethal force against protesters.
Merz said Germany is maintaining close coordination with the United States and other European countries over the situation in Iran. However, he did not directly comment on Germany’s trade relations with Tehran.
His remarks come shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that countries continuing business with Iran would face a 25 percent tariff on trade with the United States.
Despite various restrictions, Germany remains Iran’s most important trading partner within the European Union. According to data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office cited by Reuters, German exports to Iran fell by 25 percent in the first 11 months of 2025, totaling €871 million—less than 0.1 percent of Germany’s total global exports.
The comments underline growing international scrutiny of Iran’s internal situation as protests continue and geopolitical pressure on Tehran intensifies.