Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on Tuesday to statements made by German advisor Friedrich Merz, in which he claimed that the Iranian regime is “living its last days and weeks,” amid widespread protests in the country.
In a post on the “X” platform, Araghchi wrote: “Of all governments, perhaps the German government is the least prepared to address human rights issues,” stressing that “the blatant double standards over the past years have eliminated any shred of credibility.”
He also added: “When Iran defeats militants who kill civilians and policemen, the German advisor rushes to declare that violence is an expression of weakness. What does Mr. Merz say about his absolute support for the mass slaughter of 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza?” in reference to German support for Israel.
Araghchi continued, saying that Iranians remember “Mr. Merz’s hateful praise of Israel when it bombed homes and shops in our country last summer,” noting that the German advisor insisted at the time that this “unjustified and illegal” violence constitutes a service that Israel provides to Europe by carrying out “its dirty work.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister also pointed to “Germany’s silence regarding the United States’ recent kidnapping of a head of state,” in reference to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Araghchi considered that “Germany’s lecturing about human rights and legitimacy is meaningless,” stressing that the entity for which Merz works “has done nothing to support either.” He concluded his post by saying: “Please be ashamed of yourselves. Rather, it is better for Germany to stop its illegal interference in our region, including its support for genocide and militants.”
In a related context, the demonstrations in Iran have turned from protests against severe economic difficulties into explicit calls for the overthrow of the regime.
Merz had commented on these developments during a visit to India, considering that the world is witnessing “the last days and weeks of this regime,” and questioning the legitimacy of the Iranian leadership. He said: “When a regime can only maintain power through violence, it means it is effectively at its end. The people are now rising up against this regime.”
The German advisor pointed out that his country is in close contact with the United States and other European governments regarding the situation in Iran, calling on Tehran to end its repressive campaign against the protesters, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths.
