Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday condemned Germany’s decision to close Iranian consulates in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual national accused of terrorist activities.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Araghchi criticized the move, stating that it amounted to sanctions against Iranians residing in Germany. “The closure of Iran’s consulates in Germany is a sanction against Iranians residing in that country, of whom most possess German citizenship as well,” he said.
Germany announced on Thursday that it would close all three Iranian consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, while the Iranian embassy in Berlin will remain operational. The decision came after Iran executed Sharmahd on Monday for his alleged involvement in several “terrorist” attacks against Iranian people, including a 2008 bombing in the southern city of Shiraz that claimed 14 lives and injured over 200 others.
Araghchi accused the German government of supporting a terrorist at the expense of Iranian-German citizens. “The German government is sanctioning tens of thousands of other Iranians holding a German passport in support of a terrorist who took 14 innocent lives and injured more than 200 others,” he added.
The closure of the consulates has raised concerns among the Iranian diaspora in Germany, many of whom rely on consular services for travel, legal matters, and maintaining ties with their homeland.
Germany’s response underscores the escalating tensions between Tehran and Berlin over human rights issues and alleged terrorist activities. The German government has condemned the execution of Sharmahd, calling for respect for human rights and due process.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
