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Mass rallies worldwide back Iranian protesters
Hundreds of thousands marched in cities across Europe, North America and Australia on Saturday, answering a call by Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, for a coordinated day of opposition to the Islamic Republic.
Largest gatherings in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto
Munich drew an estimated 250 000 people, while Los Angeles and Toronto each saw crowds of roughly 350 000. Smaller demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Sydney and London.
Pahlavi urges unity with Iranian demonstrators
Speaking in Munich, Pahlavi told the crowd, "My first message is to our brave and fighting compatriots inside the country: know that you are not alone, and today the world stands with you in this struggle."
"In contrast to this corrupt, repressive, child-killing regime, you represent a great culture and civilisation, and in a free Iran of tomorrow you will prove to the world what a great nation we are."
Reza Pahlavi, Munich rally, 15 February 2026
Death toll climbs as protests enter eighth week
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified 6 872 deaths, including at least 150 children, since street protests erupted on 28 December. Demonstrations have since spread to over 100 cities and towns in every Iranian province.
Iranian authorities acknowledge 3 000 fatalities but claim some were security personnel.
Pahlavi's daughter presses US to abandon nuclear talks
In Los Angeles, Noor Pahlavi told the crowd that Iranians had "never been this close to freeing themselves from this Islamic regime." She urged President Donald Trump to halt ongoing nuclear negotiations, calling them "negotiation with murderers."
Trump told reporters on Friday that a change in Iran's government would be "the best thing that could happen," although he did not explicitly link his remarks to Pahlavi. Last month he described Pahlavi as "very nice" but expressed doubts about his ability to rally sufficient domestic support.
Monarchy or democracy? Debate over Pahlavi's vision
Born to inherit the Peacock Throne, Pahlavi was 18 when the 1979 revolution toppled his father's monarchy. Nearly five decades later, he is again positioning himself as a potential leader, insisting his goal is a democratic republic.
Critics, however, question whether his movement risks reviving a monarchy rather than securing democratic rule.
