German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, asserting that a regime sustained only by violence has lost its legitimacy. He said the Iranian people have risen against their government. His remarks come as unrest continues across Iran.

In response to growing violence in Iran, several European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors. Spain’s foreign minister said the summoning was to strongly condemn the repression of protests, while Finland’s foreign minister accused Tehran of shutting down the internet to conceal killings and crackdowns. The protests began more than two weeks ago, on December 28, after the Iranian rial sharply depreciated against the US dollar, prompting Tehran’s shopkeepers to take to the streets.

The demonstrations have since spread widely across the country, with reports indicating significant casualties, including around 2,000 deaths involving security personnel and civilians.