Hundreds of Thousands Rally Globally Against Iran's Government

Protests erupt in major cities around the world in show of solidarity with Iranian protesters

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across multiple continents in a coordinated show of opposition to Iran's ruling authorities, answering a call for a 'global day of action'. Demonstrations erupted in major cities including Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto, alongside smaller but highly symbolic gatherings in places such as Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Sydney, and London. The largest rally took place in Munich, where police estimated around 250,000 people gathered to hear Pahlavi deliver a fiery address condemning Iran's leadership and its violent response to months of unrest inside the country.

Why it matters

The international protests follow weeks of turmoil inside Iran, where demonstrations initially sparked by soaring living costs and economic hardship have evolved into a broader anti-government movement. The scale of the global demonstrations underscores the depth of feeling within the Iranian diaspora and the growing international attention on the country's internal crisis.

The details

Protesters in cities such as Tel Aviv and Lisbon waved a mix of Iranian, Israeli, and American flags, while some held placards explicitly calling on Western governments to take a tougher stance against Tehran. In several rallies, chants calling for Pahlavi's return to political leadership were heard — a striking development nearly half a century after the 1979 Islamic Revolution forced his family from power.

  • Protests began on December 28 and quickly spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all of Iran's provinces.
  • The largest rally took place in Munich on February 15, 2026.

The players

Pahlavi

A member of the former Iranian royal family who was groomed from birth to inherit the throne, but was forced into exile after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Noor Pahlavi

The daughter of Pahlavi, who addressed a large crowd in Los Angeles and urged the US to end ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Donald Trump

The former US President, who told reporters that a change in Iran's government would be 'the best thing that could happen,' though he stopped short of endorsing any specific figure.

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What they’re saying

“My first message is to our brave and fighting compatriots inside the country. Know that you are not alone. Today, the world stands with you in this struggle.”

— Pahlavi (BBC)

“Iranians have 'never been this close to freeing themselves from this Islamic regime.'”

— Noor Pahlavi (BBC)

“A change in Iran's government would be 'the best thing that could happen,'”

— Donald Trump, Former US President (Reuters)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The global protests signal mounting international attention on Iran's internal crisis, but whether this unprecedented level of worldwide mobilization will translate into meaningful change remains uncertain.