VIDEO Zelenski, message about the regime in Tehran, in the midst of violent protests that engulfed Iran
A Shahed drone (Russian-made Geran-2), displayed alongside destroyed Russian tanks and equipment in Mykhailivska square in Kyiv, on November 20, 2025. PHOTO: Andreas Stroh / imago stock and people / Profimedia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday the world must help Iranians take advantage of the protests to bring about change to free them from a regime that has brought evil to their own country and other countries, including Ukraine.
In his video address to the nation on Monday night, he described the protests sweeping Iran nationwide as a “revolt.”
The Ukrainian leader said the unrest shows Moscow needs to reconsider its close ties with Tehran, which include the widespread use of Iranian-made “Shahed” drones in the war against Kiev. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was launched nearly four years ago, and this type of kamikaze drone has been consistently used in airstrikes.
“Every normal person on Earth very much wants the Iranian people to finally be lucky enough to be freed from the regime that exists there and has brought so much harm, including to Ukraine and other countries,” Zelenskiy said in his speech.
“It is important that the world does not miss this moment, when change is possible. Every leader, every country, international organizations must get involved now and help the people remove those responsible for the unfortunate situation Iran is in,” added the Ukrainian president.
The US-based human rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 572 people and the arrest of more than 10,000 people in the protests that began on December 28 and spread across Iran.
The protests have evolved from grievances over economic hardship to calls for the downfall of the clerical establishment.
Russia and Iran have developed closer ties after the Kremlin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last year signed a 20-year strategic partnership pact that deepened military ties and boosted cooperation between the two states in a number of areas.
