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.
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The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
A senior NATO official has visited Azerbaijan for high-level talks on bilateral cooperation, regional security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The visit marked his first official trip to the country.
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday (26 June) after a court found her guilty of accepting luxury gifts in return for political favours.
At least 235 people have been confirmed dead one day after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. Hundreds of people are believed to be trapped under rubble and tens of thousands are unaccounted for, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
A senior NATO official has visited Azerbaijan for high-level talks on bilateral cooperation, regional security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The visit marked his first official trip to the country.
Uzbekistan’s use of green energy sources has accounted for more than 45 per cent of its electricity generation as of on 24 June, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition to cleaner energy.
ANEWZ can exclusively report that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 1 July.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
As diplomacy helps ease tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to turn that momentum into closer security cooperation along one of South Asia's most sensitive borders.
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