{"id":11875,"date":"2026-01-13T09:05:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T09:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=11875"},"modified":"2026-01-13T09:05:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T09:05:14","slug":"iran-crisis-live-iranian-regime-is-in-its-final-days-and-weeks-says-german-chancellor-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=11875","title":{"rendered":"Iran crisis live: Iranian regime is in its \u2018final days and weeks\u2019, says German chancellor | Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Iranian government in its ‘final days and weeks’, German chancellor says<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

We are restarting our live coverage of the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran<\/a> which are widely seen as the most serious challenge to the country\u2019s Islamic Republic in recent years.<\/p>\n

At least 648<\/strong> protesters have been killed in the ongoing crackdown, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights. Thousands more people have been injured since the demonstrations started on 28 December over the collapse of the Iranian currency and general economic malaise.<\/p>\n

Speaking while on a diplomatic visit to India earlier today, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/strong> said he believes the Iranian government is in its \u201cfinal days and weeks<\/strong>\u201d, adding that the regime lacks \u201clegitimacy through elections in the population\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a regime can only keep itself in power by force, then it\u2019s effectively at the end,\u201d Merz said.<\/p>

<\/svg><\/span>Crowds march on streets of Iran calling for overthrow of supreme leader \u2013 video<\/span><\/figcaption>

The Iranian regime has been condemned by many world leaders for its harsh crackdown<\/a> including mass arrests, internet blackouts<\/a> and public warnings <\/a>that participation in the demonstrations could carry the death penalty.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday morning, the Associated Press reported mobile phones in Iran were able to make international calls, although restrictions on the internet reportedly remain in place.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the US president, Donald Trump<\/a>, has said any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on trade with the US.<\/p>\n

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters on Monday that airstrikes were among the \u201cmany, many options\u201d<\/a> that Trump was considering but that \u201cdiplomacy is always the first option for the president\u201d. Trump\u2019s national security team is expected to meet later to discuss options. Stick with us as we bring you the latest lines.<\/p>\n