Massive Rallies in Munich and Toronto Demand International Pressure on Iranian Government

Global Demonstrations Highlight Calls for Change in Iran

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in major cities worldwide, including Munich, Germany, and Toronto, Canada, to protest against the Iranian government. These large-scale demonstrations were organized following a call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for a 'global day of action' to support the Iranian people and advocate for increased international pressure on Tehran.

The rallies coincided with the Munich Security Conference, a gathering of world leaders, where the Iranian government was notably disinvited for the third consecutive year. This exclusion was criticized by Iran's Foreign Ministry, which accused the conference organizers of promoting war.

Munich Rally Draws Quarter Million Protesters

In Munich, an estimated 250,000 people demonstrated on the sidelines of the Security Conference. Police estimates indicated that the turnout exceeded organizers' expectations. Protesters chanted slogans such as 'Change, change, regime change' and 'Pahlavi for Iran,' waving the green, white, and red flags adorned with the lion and sun emblem, which was used in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi addressed the crowd, urging for tighter sanctions, potential military action, and a rapid political transition to dismantle Iran's current ruling system. He warned that continued inaction from democratic nations would lead to more deaths within Iran, stating, 'We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran?' U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham was also present at the Munich rally, delivering a speech to the demonstrators.

Toronto Sees Massive Turnout for Iranian Cause

Across the Atlantic, Toronto, Canada, witnessed an even larger demonstration, with Toronto Police spokesperson Laura Brabant estimating approximately 350,000 people marching. The rally, which proceeded down Yonge Street in North York, was part of the coordinated global effort. Chants of 'King Reza Pahlavi' and 'down with dictator' resonated through the streets, as participants displayed Iranian flags from before the 1979 revolution.

Organizers of the Toronto event outlined several key demands directed at international bodies and governments, including:

• Weakening the regime's repression apparatus, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
• Freezing the Iranian regime's assets
• Expelling regime diplomats
• Ensuring open internet access in Iran

These demands underscore the protesters' desire for concrete actions to support the ongoing anti-government movement within Iran.

Context of Ongoing Internal Protests and Crackdown

The global rallies come amid a severe crackdown on protests within Iran, which activists report has resulted in over 7,000 deaths. Crown Prince Pahlavi, who has been in exile for nearly 50 years, has positioned himself as a leading voice for the Iranian diaspora, advocating for a 'secular democratic future' for Iran. He emphasized that the continued survival of the Iranian government 'sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power.' The demonstrations serve as a powerful international expression of solidarity with those inside Iran facing repression and calling for fundamental political change.