TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister has lashed out at German Chancellor Fredrich Merz, expressing hope that a “mature” person will return to German leadership.

Writing on social media, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it is “regrettable that an individual such as Mr. Merz now represents Germany on the world stage.”

The remarks by the Iranian foreign minister came after Merz said, “We are prepared to further increase the pressure and to engage in talks aimed at bringing Iran’s nuclear programme to a swift end.”

Araghchi also said Germany that once served as the engine of the European progress is now acting the opposite.

“Germany was once the engine of Europe’s progress; now it has turned into an engine of regression,” the Iranian foreign minister wrote on X.

Iran’s chief diplomat also censured the German chancellor for pushing two other European countries (France and Britain) to bring back the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal that finally led to the termination of the role of the European trio (E3) in nuclear talks.

“Last September in New York, at Merz’s insistence, the E3 put an end to their role in nuclear negotiations by pursuing the return of UN sanctions. Now, Merz is begging to be allowed back into the same negotiations,” Araghchi remarked.

It is not the first time that Merz is making ill-advised and reckless remarks against Iran.  For example, recently during the recent protest in Iran he said the Islamic Republic’s days are numbered. Also, during Israel’s unprovoked aggression against Iran in June 2025, Merz said, Israel was doing the “dirty work for us.” 

Araghchi said, “We Iranians have unfortunately been faced with several other examples of Merz’s political naivety and distasteful character.

When Israel killed more than 1,000 Iranians in June 2025, he expressed exuberance. Merz has also publicly daydreamed about Iran supposedly being weeks away from collapse.”

The chief diplomat went on to say that the noble German people, who have greatly “contributed to humankind” through their technological innovation, deserve a politically mature person to run their country.

“Germans are a great people who have contributed to humankind with their hard work and ingenuity. Iran has always welcomed strong relations with Germany. It is therefore doubly regrettable that an individual such as Mr. Merz now represents Germany on the world stage.

We hope that more mature and honorable political leadership will return to Germany,” Araghchi concluded.