Munich protests draws 200,000 against Iran crackdown as Pahlavi urges US action

The turnout was roughly double what organisers, a group known as the Munich Circle, had expected.

The rally coincided with the Munich Security Conference, which has drawn more than 60 world leaders and about 100 foreign and defence ministers to the city for its 62nd edition.

Demonstrators voiced support for Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, who was overthrown in 1979. By late afternoon, Pahlavi had not addressed the crowd.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says more than 7,000 people have died in Iran’s crackdown on protests triggered by worsening economic conditions.

The unrest began in late December and turned most violent on January 8 and 9.

While large-scale protests have since subsided, activists say arrests continue and fear the death toll could rise.

Speaking on the sidelines of the security conference, Pahlavi urged U.S. President Donald Trump to take decisive action against Tehran’s leadership.

He said further talks between Washington and Tehran could cost lives without resolving Iran’s political crisis.

“Every day that goes by, more Iranians are dying in Iran,” Pahlavi told reporters, calling for “rapid intervention” and saying the ultimate goal should be the swift removal of the government.

From exile, Pahlavi has sought to position himself as a leading opposition figure, though the extent of his influence inside Iran remains unclear.

Trump has sent mixed signals in recent weeks, deploying military assets to the region while also saying Iran could avoid a US strike by agreeing to stricter limits on its nuclear programme.

He has deployed military assets to the region, including aircraft carriers, and said he would favour a change of power in Iran, calling it "the best thing that could happen."

But he also said that Tehran could avoid a US attack by agreeing to a deal that significantly curbs Iran's nuclear programme, among other things.

The United States and Iran held talks last year over Tehran's nuclear programme, but negotiations stalled. New talks began earlier this month in Oman and another round is anticipated.