Pro-monarchy and pro-democracy protesters gather across Europe in support of Iran
Pro-monarchy and pro-democracy protesters gather across Europe in support of Iran
In several European cities, flags bearing the lion emblem of Iran’s pre-revolutionary era were raised as Saturday saw gatherings expressing solidarity with the Iranian people amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. Demonstrators in Berlin, Stockholm, and Paris participated in events advocating for the nation’s sovereignty, while others in London divided their efforts between opposing the war and backing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
At a protest in southern Paris, 35-year-old student Masoud Ghanaatian expressed his backing for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince and son of Iran’s former shah. “I support Pahlavi who is calling for a revolution,” he said, adding that the figure represents a democratic alternative capable of leading a transition and organizing fair elections. Participants carried photographs of the late shah’s son and waved flags from the United States, Israel, and pre-revolutionary Iran.
“He’s a democrat. He can oversee a transition and promises to organise elections.” — Masoud Ghanaatian
Meanwhile, some protesters in the same area displayed yellow vests with “Free Iran” written on them, alongside stickers reading “No Shah, no Mullah.” These demonstrators rejected the idea of a monarchy-led shift, emphasizing their stance against both the current regime and its predecessor. In Stockholm, hundreds joined pro-Pahlavi marches, holding up images of the crown prince and his late father.
Amsterdam’s participants took to the canals, bearing Israeli, American, and pre-revolution Iran flags as they urged the government to welcome Pahlavi and shut down the Iranian embassy. In Britain, anti-war protesters gathered at an air force base in Fairford, chanting “stop the bombing now, now, now” and displaying signs like “Hands off Iran” and “Yanks go home.” According to the Metropolitan Police, between 5,000 and 6,000 attended the “Hands Off Iran” demonstration.
US President Donald Trump has pledged to assist Iran’s economic recovery if the nation installs a leader deemed “acceptable” by him. However, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, countered that the US should not influence the choice of Khamenei’s successor. “The selection of Iran’s leadership will take place strictly in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people, without any foreign interference,” he stated.
