German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Iran’s leadership is in its “final days and weeks,” citing widespread protests that have shifted from economic grievances to demands for the overthrow of the country’s clerical establishment, reports Reuters.
“I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” Merz said during a visit to India, questioning the Iranian leadership’s legitimacy. “When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime.”
Demonstrations across Iran have intensified in recent weeks, evolving from protests over dire economic conditions into broader calls for regime change. Authorities have responded with a deadly crackdown on protesters.
Merz said Germany is in close contact with the United States and European partners regarding developments in Iran and urged Tehran to immediately end the use of violence against demonstrators. He did not comment on whether Berlin would further restrict trade ties with Iran.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any country continuing to do business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on trade with the United States, adding pressure on Tehran and its remaining economic partners.
Germany maintains limited trade relations with Iran despite extensive sanctions, making it Tehran’s most important trading partner within the European Union. However, commerce has declined sharply. German exports to Iran fell 25% to just under €871 million ($1.02 billion) in the first 11 months of 2025, representing less than 0.1% of Germany’s total exports, according to federal statistics office data reviewed on Tuesday.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
