Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned Germany’s ambassador to Tehran, Axel Dittmann, to protest what it called “interventionist and offensive” remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The move came after Merz said at a press conference in Berlin alongside Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan that Iran’s leadership lacks legitimacy and is nearing collapse.
“A regime that can only hold onto power through sheer violence and terror against its own population: its days are numbered,” Merz said.
“It could be a matter of weeks, but this regime has no legitimacy to govern the country,” he added.
His comments came amid renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to consider military action against Iran.
According to Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA, Alireza Yousefi, director general for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry, formally conveyed Tehran’s protest to the German envoy during the meeting.
Iranian officials cited Germany’s historical role during the 1980s Iran–Iraq war, including alleged support for Baghdad, as well as Berlin’s failure to pursue accountability over the use of chemical weapons, IRNA reported.
Yousefi also criticised Germany’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict and recent statements by German officials concerning last June’s 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel, arguing that Berlin lacked moral authority to comment on Iran’s domestic affairs.
Relations between Iran and several European countries have deteriorated in recent weeks following protests inside Iran, which European leaders have condemned over the treatment of demonstrators.
Earlier on Thursday, the European Union formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, a decision strongly rejected by Tehran.
Ahead of next week’s World Urban Forum (WUF13), Baku State University and Azerbaijan’s State Committee fo...
French authorities have opened a new judicial inquiry into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, bringing renewed legal attention to a c...
Pope Leo is set to visit France from 25 to 28 September, with a stop at UNESCO headquarters in Paris expected to form a significant part of the tri...
Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven Palestinians in Gaza on Friday (15 May), including a child, as Israel said it had launched an operation ta...
The Trump administration plans to announce criminal charges against former Cuban president...
Baku will host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) from 17 to 22 May, bringing together around 25,000 participants from 176 countries to address the global housing crisis and sustainable urban development.
Ahead of next week’s World Urban Forum (WUF13), Baku State University and Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture have organised an international conference on sustainable cities and human capital in urban development.
French authorities have opened a new judicial inquiry into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, bringing renewed legal attention to a case that continues to draw international focus nearly eight years after his killing.
Pope Leo is set to visit France from 25 to 28 September, with a stop at UNESCO headquarters in Paris expected to form a significant part of the trip.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
Foreign ministers from the expanded BRICS bloc gathered in New Delhi on Thursday (14 May) for a crucial two-day meeting overshadowed by the ongoing Iran war, internal tensions within the grouping and mounting fears over global energy supplies.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will take place twice a month as part of efforts to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend the 13th World Urban Forum, where climate change and safer cities will be discussed.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven Palestinians in Gaza on Friday (15 May), including a child, as Israel said it had launched an operation targeting Hamas military commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment