Thousands Demonstrate for Change in Iran After Deadly Crackdown

Protesters call for regime change and democracy in Iran at massive rallies in Germany, Canada, and Cyprus

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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About 250,000 people demonstrated against Iran's government on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders in Munich, Germany, answering a call from Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for increased international pressure on Tehran. Protesters chanted "Change, change, regime change" and waved flags with the lion and sun emblem used before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Pahlavi warned of more deaths in Iran if "democracies stand by and watch" following the deadly crackdown on protesters last month. Rallies were also held in Toronto, Canada and Nicosia, Cyprus.

Why it matters

The massive protests in Germany, Canada, and Cyprus represent a growing global movement calling for change in Iran following the government's violent suppression of nationwide demonstrations last month. The rallies were organized by Iran's exiled crown prince, who is positioning himself as a potential future leader, and reflect international concern over the Iranian regime's human rights abuses and crackdown on dissent.

The details

Police estimated that around 250,000 people demonstrated in Munich, far exceeding the organizers' expectations. Protesters chanted slogans like "Change, change, regime change" and waved flags with the pre-revolution lion and sun emblem. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who called for the "global day of action," warned of more deaths in Iran if "democracies stand by and watch." Rallies were also held in Toronto, where an estimated 350,000 people marched, and in Nicosia, Cyprus, where about 500 protesters gathered outside the presidential palace.

  • The protests took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Reza Pahlavi

The exiled crown prince of Iran who called for the global protests against the Iranian government.

Lindsey Graham

A Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina who spoke at the Munich rally and was photographed wearing a "Make Iran Great Again" cap.

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What they’re saying

“We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran?”

— Reza Pahlavi, Exiled Crown Prince of Iran (pbs.org)

“The survival of Iran's government sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power.”

— Reza Pahlavi, Exiled Crown Prince of Iran (pbs.org)

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 massive global protests represent a growing international movement calling for change in Iran following the government's violent crackdown on dissent. The rallies, organized by the exiled crown prince, reflect concerns over the Iranian regime's human rights abuses and signal that the world is watching as the situation in Iran continues to unfold.