Iran’s regime is finished, predicts Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that Iran’s clerical leadership is in ruins, arguing the Tehran regime can no longer survive without violence.

“If a regime can only stay in power through violence, then it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” Merz told journalists during his visit to India.

“I hope there is a way to end this conflict peacefully. The mullah regime has to recognize that as well,” he added.

The chancellor’s comments follow more than two weeks of nationwide, anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which began over the country’s devastating economic situation. According to the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights, Tehran’s regime — run by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — has killed more than 600 protestors and arrested more than 10,000 in a brutal crackdown.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted furiously in a post on X, slamming Merz for Germany’s Israel policy.

“Of all governments, the one in Germany is perhaps the worst placed to address ‘human rights’ … its blatant double-standards over the past years have obliterated any shred of credibility,” he wrote. “Do us all a favor: have some shame. Better yet, Germany should end its unlawful interference in our region — including its support for Genocide and Terrorism,” he added. Araghchi also framed the protests as “violent riots” in a separate post.

On Friday, Merz issued a joint statement with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron condemning the crackdown. “We are deeply concerned about reports of violence by Iranian security forces, and strongly condemn the killing of protestors,” the statement said. 

EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday announced that she is prepared to push for tougher sanctions on Iran.

In Germany, Merz’s conservative bloc has long supported putting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU terrorist list. Recently, top German conservative lawmakers pushed their own ministers for action on that matter.

Merz’s remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on countries that continue economic trade with Iran. 

This story has been updated.