Iran’s foreign minister warns Germany against further support for the protests. This will irreparably damage mutual relations. Foreign Minister Baerbock is unimpressed and counters that threats are not a political tool.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has clearly rejected Iranian threats against Germany in connection with her criticism of Tehran’s violent actions against the protests in Iran. “Just as human rights are universal and indivisible for me, threats are not a means of foreign policy and international relations for me,” said the Green politician after meeting her Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis in Berlin.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian said on Twitter on Thursday: “Provocative, interventionist and undiplomatic attitudes do not show sophistication and prudence.” Germany could “decide to engage in order to tackle common challenges – or to confront”. He threatened: “Our response will be reasonable and decisive.” Damaging historical relationships will have long-term consequences.
Baerbock now countered that observance of universal human rights is not a national matter, “but a universal matter. Otherwise it would not be universal human rights, which are indivisible.” The EU foreign ministers would underline this again at their meeting in Brussels this Monday – similar to the question of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as an international community.
On Wednesday, the Bundestag discussed a motion by the traffic light parliamentary groups, in which the SPD, Greens and FDP campaigned to support the protests in Iran with additional sanctions against Tehran. The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of the 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini in mid-September. The vice squad arrested her for allegedly violating Islamic dress codes. The woman died in police custody on September 16. Since her death, tens of thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule.
At the meeting, Baerbock assured Lithuania of its unwavering support against threats from Russia. “No propaganda and no threats will divide our alliance, our friendship,” said the Green politician after the meeting with Landsbergis. “Your security is our security. The security of Eastern Europe is Germany’s security.” Baerbock said: “We are your friends from the bottom of our hearts. No ifs or buts. Bilaterally, but also in the EU, in NATO and in our other joint forums.” Landsbergis had previously made it clear that the Lithuanian government expects Germany to send a brigade of up to 5,000 soldiers by 2026 to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
