At a February 7, 2026 rally at the Brandenburg Gate, Peter Altmaier praised the “heroes and heroines” of Iran’s January uprising and told Iranians in exile that they “belong with us,” describing the diaspora as “the best ambassadors for Iran.”

The former German minister recalled the fall of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and said hopes for a democratic future were “cruelly disappointed,” arguing that the current clerical establishment has “lost all legitimacy.” Addressing Western governments directly, he said expectations that the Iranian regime would “modernize” or become more “humane” were misguided, stressing the need for change “toward freedom and democracy,” in line with the Ten-Point Plan proposed by Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

Altmaier welcomed the European Union move to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as an initial step, called for tougher and expanded sanctions, and urged international media to devote more coverage to developments inside Iran, describing it as a vital lifeline.

He concluded with a message of encouragement to Iranians: “Do not despair. You shall overcome.”

The full text of Peter Altmaier’s speech follows:

Honorable Madam President Rajavi, dear Charles Michel, dear Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger.

But above all: dear and esteemed heroes and heroines of the January uprising in Iran, who lost your lives, who are sitting in prisons, whose health is ruined. We are with you in our thoughts and in our hearts.

We hope that your cause will prevail and that we can once again welcome a free, a democratic, and a proud Iran into the world community.

And dear Iranians all over the world: in Ashraf 3, in the United States, in France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, in Belgium, and above all you, my dear Iranian fellow citizens in Germany. You belong with us.

You are at the same time the best ambassadors for Iran. We stand in solidarity with you, your children, and your grandchildren, and we will do everything to ensure your struggle succeeds.

I can remember when the Shah’s cruel regime was overthrown 45 years ago. Many of you were already living in Germany at that time. You were doctors and architects, merchants and craftsmen in Iran, and you had to earn your living as taxi drivers in Germany.

But you hoped that the new government without the Shah would be a democratic, a better government. Seldom have the hopes of millions of people been so cruelly disappointed.

The mullahs’ regime in Iran has trampled on human rights and human dignity. The mullahs’ regime has destroyed the lives of millions of its own citizens. During the various uprisings, the mullahs’ regime shot tens of thousands; tens of thousands were executed, and tens of thousands are sitting in prisons.

🇩🇪 @peteraltmaier, ehemaliger Bundesminister, ist bei der Free-Iran-Demo in Berlin dabei.
Nein zum Schah, nein zu den Mullahs!#BerlinFreeIranDemo#No2ShahNo2Mullah pic.twitter.com/btJELCsad9

— Hanif 𝕏 FreeIran (@HanifFreeIran) February 7, 2026

My dear friends, there is no other country in the whole world that treats its own citizens as terribly as the mullahs’ regime in Iran, and therefore this regime has lost all legitimacy.

I know that many of you are torn—torn by worry and grief for dear relatives and friends who have died once again because the regime murdered them en masse.

At the same time, [you live] in the hope that this time it will succeed, that this time the uprising was not in vain, and that the days of the mullahs’ regime are numbered.

My very esteemed ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. We must tell the governments around the world, the governments in Europe, and the Western governments a clear message: All hopes that this regime would modernize, all hopes that this regime would one day become humane, were false.

There can be no peace or freedom in Iran as long as the mullahs’ regime exists, and therefore we need regime change in Iran.

This regime change, ladies and gentlemen, can only be a regime change toward freedom and democracy, as stated in the Ten-Point Plan of President Rajavi.

Free elections, equal elections, equality between men and women, abolition of the death penalty, and peaceful relations with all people in the world—that is the great task.

There are millions of Iranians who were and are ready to fight and give their lives for this. They are entitled to our support and to our help.

The Revolutionary Guards have finally been listed as a terrorist organization by the EU. But that is only a first step. We need more and tougher sanctions.

We need more awareness, and I appeal to our free press in Germany, in France, and in the USA: Spend more time reporting from Iran. A free press is the lifeline for many millions of people there.

I call out to you: Do not despair. You shall overcome! You will win, and we will see a free Iran that enjoys respect throughout the world and where people can live in happiness, peace, and freedom.

That is what I wish for all of you. Good luck for the future. All the best for you and your friends in Iran.