Iran condemns consulate closures in Germany as a 'sanction'
Germany has urged its citizens in Iran to leave the country to avoid the risk of being held hostage.
Iran has strongly condemned Germany's decision to close its consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, calling it a "sanction" against Iranians residing in Germany. The move comes in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual citizen, by Tehran.
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced the consulate closures on Thursday, emphasizing that the execution of Sharmahd would have serious consequences. The German Foreign Ministry called in Iran's chargé d'affaires to issue a formal protest over the execution and the consulate closures.
The closure of Iran's Consulates in Germany is a sanction against Iranians residing in that country—most of whom possess German citizenship as well.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) November 1, 2024
In support of a terrorist who took 14 innocent lives and injured more than 200 others, the German government is sanctioning tens…
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the decision, saying that it effectively serves as a sanction against Iranians in Germany, many of whom are also German citizens. He accused the German government of backing the culprit of a terrorist attack that left 14 people dead in Shiraz in 2018.
On Monday, Iran confirmed the execution of Sharmahd, who received a death sentence in 2023 for "corruption on Earth" related to a 2008 mosque attack and other events.
The German government, along with his family and human rights advocates, strongly disputed the charges and described the trial as unfair.
Baerbock also mentioned that Germany would seek EU-wide sanctions against those involved in Sharmahd's execution, including members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In response to the consulate closures, Germany has urged its citizens in Iran to leave the country to avoid the risk of being held hostage. The German foreign office spokesperson, Sebastian Fischer, repeated the travel warning for Iran and advised against traveling there.
The situation has escalated tensions between the two countries, with both sides standing firm on their positions. Germany's decision to close the consulates is a significant diplomatic move, signaling a major downgrade in relations with Iran.
