Millions of demonstrators took to the streets in cities around the world on Saturday to protest against Iran’s current government, marking a global day of action called by exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi.
Large-scale rallies were held in Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto, among other major cities, according to reports by BBC.
In Munich, Pahlavi addressed a gathering of approximately 250,000 people, calling for the overthrow of Iran’s Islamic government and condemning the state’s crackdown on protesters inside the country.
“To my brave and fighting compatriots inside Iran, you are not alone,” he said. “Today, the whole world stands with you in this struggle.”
He described Iran’s leadership as “corrupt, oppressive, and child killers,” adding that a free Iran would prove to the world the greatness of its people.
The largest rally took place in Toronto, where nearly 350,000 demonstrators reportedly joined the protest. Many participants said they were raising their voices on behalf of friends and family members still in Iran.
In Los Angeles, Pahlavi’s daughter, Noor Pahlavi, addressed protesters. In an interview with CBS News, she said Iranians were “very close” to freeing themselves from Islamic rule. She also urged U.S. President Donald Trump to halt ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran, saying, “There can be no talks with murderers.”
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said that a change in Iran’s government would be “the best outcome,” though it was unclear whether he was referring specifically to Pahlavi’s leadership. In an interview with Reuters last month, Trump described Pahlavi as “very kind” but questioned whether he had sufficient support inside Iran to lead the country.
The wave of unrest in Iran began on December 28 with protests over rising living costs. The demonstrations later evolved into a broader anti-government movement, spreading to more than 100 cities and towns nationwide.
The U.S.-based human rights group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) reported that 6,872 protesters, including 150 children, have been killed during the unrest. Iranian authorities have acknowledged at least 3,000 deaths but claim that security personnel are among the casualties.
Pahlavi left Iran at the age of 18 during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Nearly five decades later, he is once again seeking an active role in shaping the country’s political future, as some protesters inside Iran have reportedly chanted his name during demonstrations.
