Exiled Iranians Protest Mullah Regime in Munich
Munich, January 19 – Approximately 300 exiled Iranians gathered yesterday evening at Munich’s Odeonsplatz to protest against the Mullah regime in Iran. The demonstrators, driven by concern for their loved ones and a fervent hope for regime change, voiced their demands for a free Iran. The protest, which took place on January 18, 2026, was one of several similar demonstrations held across various cities.
Calls for Regime Change and Justice
Chants of “Go away! Go away! Go away! The Mullahs must go!” resonated through Odeonsplatz as the exiled Iranians expressed their desire for a swift change in leadership. Despite reports of mass protests in Iran subsiding, the demonstrators in Munich remain hopeful.
Protesters displayed numerous portraits of individuals missing in Iran, believed to be among the thousands killed by state forces. According to an insider from the Iranian government, at least 5,000 people have been killed. Surin Zakikhani, a spokesperson for “Women.Life.Freedom e.V.”, emphasized the need to recognize the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, citing the regime’s “massive violence” against its own people.
“Women.Life.Freedom e.V.” and the Opposition Movement
The “Women.Life.Freedom” organization was founded in numerous Western cities following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. This network positions itself as a non-partisan opposition to the Mullah regime. However, unlike some more conservative exiled Iranians, they oppose a leading role for the Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, within the opposition movement.
While conservative factions believe Pahlavi possesses the charisma to unite various opposition currents, proponents of a liberal republic fear he might gradually hijack the revolutionary movement for his own purposes, reminiscent of Ayatollah Khomeini’s actions against the Shah’s revolution in the late 1970s.
Hope for a Weakened Regime
Despite internal disagreements, the organizers of the Munich demonstration expressed confidence in the opposition’s ability to bring about a change in power in the foreseeable future. Rebee Mokhtari Nejad from “Women.Life.Freedom” believes the regime is significantly weakened. “The barbaric reaction to the many protests within the country demonstrates how much the Mullahs fear for their power,” she stated. The internet shutdown, which had lasted ten days by the time of the protest at Odeonsplatz, is also seen as a sign of the regime’s vulnerability.
Broader Context of Protests
The Munich demonstration is part of a larger wave of protests by exiled Iranians globally. Similar gatherings have taken place in other German cities, such as Nuremberg, where hundreds also protested the Mullah regime. These ongoing demonstrations underscore the persistent international opposition to the current Iranian government and the unwavering hope for a more democratic future for Iran.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/exil-iraner-demonstrieren-am-muenchner-odeonsplatz,V8fmbNg
