MUNICH – An estimated 200,000 people demonstrated in Munich on Saturday, February 14, 2026, protesting the government of Iran as international leaders gathered for the Munich Security Conference. The large-scale demonstration underscored growing international concern over the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on dissent following widespread protests in January and a renewed call for change within the country. The protest, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, highlighted the diaspora’s sustained efforts to amplify the voices of those inside Iran.
The demonstration unfolded on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, a location less than 3km from the conference venue, and was largely driven by pro-monarchist sentiment. Protesters denounced the current leadership in Tehran, many carrying flags emblazoned with a lion and sun – the emblem of the Pahlavi dynasty overthrown in the 1979 revolution. The protests come after reports of a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran earlier this year, with human rights groups reporting thousands killed.
Calls for Regime Change and International Support
Participants expressed a range of frustrations with the current Iranian government, with many calling for its complete removal. “We are here today to support the people in Iran that were murdered by the mullah regime,” said Ali Farzad, a 40-year-old protester, as reported by AFP. “And we are here to support Reza Pahlavi as our leader through the transition for a period.” Another protester, 62-year-old Said, succinctly stated, “The Iranian regime is a dead regime. It must be game over.” The sentiment reflected a widespread belief among demonstrators that the current government has lost legitimacy.
The demonstration also served as a platform to rally support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah of Iran. Chants of “Javid shah” (long live the shah), “Pahlavi bar migarde” (Pahlavi is coming back), and “Reza II” echoed through the Theresienwiese, signaling a desire for a return to the Pahlavi dynasty. Pahlavi himself addressed the Munich Security Conference, appealing to US President Donald Trump for assistance in supporting the Iranian people. He also called for what he described as a “global day of action,” with planned rallies in Toronto and Los Angeles.
Diaspora Mobilization and Calls for Intervention
The Munich demonstration wasn’t an isolated event. Razieh Shahverdi, a 34-year-old Iranian living in Paris, explained her presence at the rally was in direct response to Pahlavi’s call for members of the diaspora to show solidarity with those protesting inside Iran. “So that is why we are here, to amplify their voices and to show our support,” she told AFP. Shahverdi articulated a broader demand for international intervention, advocating for a transitional government and a subsequent referendum to determine Iran’s future.
Several demonstrators voiced skepticism towards ongoing US-led international negotiations with Iran, arguing that the current leadership does not represent the Iranian people. “They shouldn’t talk to them due to the fact that they are not actually a government. We don’t like them, we don’t accept them,” said a 40-year-old doctor from Germany who declined to give her last name, citing concerns for her family’s safety. She added, “When a government kills their people on the street, they are not (trustworthy),” emphasizing the scale of violence and injury within Iran. Another protester, Farzad, echoed this sentiment, stating that those currently negotiating with international powers are not representative of the Iranian population.
Echoes of Protest in Berlin
The demonstration in Munich follows a similar rally held last week in Berlin, where approximately 10,000 people gathered in response to a call from the MEK, an exiled Iranian opposition group. Tehran considers the MEK a “terrorist” organization. The coordinated demonstrations across Europe highlight the growing momentum of the Iranian diaspora’s efforts to influence international policy and support calls for change within Iran.
According to updated figures from police, as reported by The Times of Israel, the number of protesters in Munich reached approximately 250,000, exceeding organizers’ initial expectations. This demonstrates the breadth and depth of support for the Iranian protest movement within the diaspora.
The Theresienwiese, normally bustling with activity during the annual Oktoberfest celebration, provided a stark backdrop for the demonstration, underscoring the gravity of the situation in Iran and the urgency felt by those seeking change. The demonstration’s timing, coinciding with the Munich Security Conference, aimed to bring the plight of the Iranian people to the attention of world leaders and policymakers.
Looking ahead, rallies are planned in Toronto and Los Angeles on Saturday, continuing the “global day of action” called for by Reza Pahlavi. The international community will be watching closely to see how these demonstrations influence the ongoing dialogue surrounding Iran and the potential for future intervention. Further updates on the situation in Iran and the international response are expected from the Munich Security Conference in the coming days.
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