After German Citizen’s Execution, Germany Plans to Shut Iranian Consulates and Expel Diplomats

In a decisive response to the execution of a German-Iranian citizen by Iran, Germany announced the closure of all Iranian consulates within its borders. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared the measure on Thursday, signaling a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

“We have repeatedly and unequivocally made it clear to Tehran that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences,” Baerbock stated in a televised address. The consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich will be shuttered, and their employees without German citizenship will be required to leave the country.

This dramatic step follows the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a 69-year-old German-Iranian national, who was sentenced to death by Iran’s judiciary on charges of "corruption on earth." The Iranian regime accused Sharmahd of orchestrating a deadly 2008 attack on a mosque. However, Sharmahd’s family, along with the German government and human rights organizations, have condemned the trial as a farce, asserting his innocence.

Baerbock sharply criticized Iran’s actions, describing the regime as operating beyond the norms of diplomatic engagement. “The fact that this assassination took place in the light of the latest developments in the Middle East shows that [Iran’s] dictatorial, unjust regime does not act according to normal diplomatic logic,” she said.

The move by Berlin underscores a broader deterioration in German-Iranian relations. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the execution as a “scandal” and recalled Germany’s ambassador to Tehran for consultations. In addition, the Iranian charge d’affaires was summoned to the German foreign office for a formal protest.

In an online post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended the execution, dismissing Germany’s protests and implying that the country's support for Israel undermines its stance on human rights. Baerbock refuted these claims, emphasizing that Germany's support for Israel cannot be used to justify Tehran's actions.

Germany is now pushing for European Union-wide sanctions against those responsible for Sharmahd’s execution and has called for the EU to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase international pressure on Tehran over its human rights violations.

The situation remains tense, with further German citizens reportedly detained in Iran. Baerbock pledged continued efforts to secure their release, condemning Iran’s tactic of using foreign nationals as political leverage.

As Germany takes these bold steps, the international community watches closely, with potential implications for broader European and Middle Eastern diplomatic relations.

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