Speaking at a February 7, 2026, rally at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Peter Altmaier — former German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy— saluted the “heroes and heroines” of Iran’s January uprising and told Iranians in exile “you belong with us,” calling the diaspora “the best ambassadors for Iran.”
The former Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety recalled the fall of the Shah and said hopes for a better, democratic government were “cruelly disappointed,” arguing the current clerical system has “lost all legitimacy.” In a direct appeal to Western governments, Altmaier said expectations that the regime would “modernize” or become “humane” were “false,” insisting “we need regime change” — but only “toward freedom and democracy,” as set out in the Ten-Point Plan advanced by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
He welcomed the European Union listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “first step,” demanded “more and tougher sanctions,” and urged the free press to “spend more time reporting from Iran,” calling it a “lifeline.” He closed with a rallying refrain: “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.
🇩🇪 @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
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.
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.
Fmr. German Minister @peteraltmaier: I can remember when the Shah’s cruel regime was overthrown 45 years ago… you were doctors and architects… and you had to earn your living as taxi drivers in #Germany… you hoped… a democratic, better government. Seldom have the hopes of…
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 7, 2026
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.