Germany’s political and military support for Israel, along with Berlin’s approach to Iran and regional issues, triggered a new diplomatic response between Tehran and Berlin. Iran summoned Germany’s ambassador to Tehran, Axel Dittmann, to the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, September 17.
Alireza Yousefi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister and director general for Western Europe, conveyed Tehran’s protest to the ambassador. Rejecting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statements on Iran, Yousefi described Berlin’s approach to Iran and regional issues as “baseless and destructive.”
Yousefi also criticized Germany’s political and military support for Israel. Ambassador Dittmann said he would convey Tehran’s objections to his government.
Merz’s calls draw a reaction from Iran
The diplomatic summons came after Merz called on Iran to end its “military nuclear program,” stop supporting regional proxy groups and lift the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
A day earlier, Iran described and rejected the position expressed in Merz’s statements as “deliberately distorted.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry also objected to what it called the German Embassy’s “interventionist” activities.