Iran summons Germany's Charge d'Affaires in Tehran to the Foreign Ministry

Tensions are escalating between Iran and Germany. Following Germany's decision to close Iran's consulates in Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg in response to the execution of Iranian-German dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Germany's Charge d'Affaires in Tehran, Hans Peter Ugel, to the ministry.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, it was stated: “The German government's decision to suspend the operations of the Islamic Republic of Iran's consulates is an unjust and unjustified act. The primary function of the consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich is to provide necessary consular services to Iranians living in Germany and to protect their interests.

The closure of these centers means intentionally depriving Iranians of their right to benefit from consular services. This situation will create unnecessary difficulties for Iranian citizens in Germany and lead to the violation of their fundamental rights. Furthermore, this action signifies the severing of one of the most important and deep-rooted communication channels between the peoples of Iran and Germany,” the statement read.

"THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES"

The statement continued: “Iran considers the German Foreign Minister's statement to be insulting, interventionist, and unprofessional. While this statement lacks any legal basis, Germany's adoption of a non-constructive and adversarial stance is a major miscalculation. The German government will be responsible for the consequences. Iran condemns Germany's disrespect for the fundamental principles of international law, particularly respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and judicial authority. We categorically reject the support of terrorism and the killing of innocent people, even under the pretext of protecting citizens.”

THE EXECUTION OF SHARMAHD

The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence announced in July 2020 that Jamshid Sharmahd, the leader of the terrorist organization known as Tonder, had been arrested abroad and brought to the country. On February 21, 2023, Sharmahd was sentenced to death by the court where he was tried, and he was executed on the morning of October 28. The terrorist organization Tonder carried out its first act in 2003 during the Muharram ceremonies held in the Iranian city of Shiraz, an attack that resulted in the deaths of 14 people and left 215 others injured. The organization also carried out an attack at the Imam Khomeini Shrine in Tehran, causing 8 people to be injured.

GERMANY'S RESPONSE

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her reaction to Iran's execution of 69-year-old Iranian-German dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, who was alleged to be the leader of the US-based anti-regime terrorist organization "Tonder." Baerbock stated that they had clearly expressed to Tehran multiple times that the execution of a German citizen would have serious consequences, adding, “I have decided to close the 3 Iranian consulates general in Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg.”

Following the statements, the German Ambassador to Tehran, Markus Potzel, was recalled to Germany for consultations. A statement issued by the German Foreign Ministry yesterday reported that Potzel had returned to the country.