Zelenskyy on Iran protests: World must not miss chance for change
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on world leaders to intervene in Iran and help the country’s people rid themselves of the regime, according to his post on X.
The president noted that the events in Iran signal that nothing will improve for Russia.
“What is happening in Iran now – large-scale protests, effectively an uprising – is a clear sign that things won’t get easier for Russia,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Zelenskyy emphasized that every decent person on this planet wants the people of Iran to finally be freed from a regime that has caused so much harm to Ukraine and other countries.
The president added that it is crucial not to miss the moment for possible change, urging the world to intervene.
“It is crucial that the world does not miss this moment when changes are possible. Every leader, every country, and international organizations must step in now and help the people remove those guilty of what Iran has sadly become,” Zelenskyy concluded.
Protests in Iran and possible consequences
At the end of December 2025, massive anti-government protests erupted in Iran, which soon escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
The first demonstrations began on December 28, triggered by a sharp drop in the national currency, which heavily affected businesses. This economic shock led merchants from Tehran’s central market to take to the streets.
So far, more than 500 people have died as a result of the unrest, and over 10,000 have been arrested during the protests.
Following initial reports of casualties, US President Donald Trump said that Iran was starting to cross his red line. According to Axios, he is leaning toward striking the country to punish the regime for the killings, though no final decision has been made and other options are being considered.
Meanwhile, the US Department of State and the virtual US embassy in Tehran have urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also recently advised Ukrainian citizens to leave Iran due to worsening security conditions.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that a collapse of the Iranian regime would significantly harm Russia, as it would cut off a channel for arms and military supplies through the Caspian Sea and reduce Moscow’s ability to circumvent sanctions with Tehran’s help.
