TEHRAN — The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned German Ambassador Axel Dittmann on Thursday to deliver a condemnation of Berlin’s increasingly aggressive interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

The diplomatic move follows “interventionist and low-minded” remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently echoed Washington’s hostile rhetoric by claiming the Islamic Republic’s “days are numbered.”

Alireza Yousefi, the Foreign Ministry Director-General for Western Europe, met with the envoy to lodge a formal protest against the “irresponsible positions” of German leadership.

He specifically criticized Merz’s recent press conference assertions—where the Chancellor accused Tehran of maintaining power through “violence and terror”—noting that such remarks serve as a green light for foreign-backed rioters who have recently attempted to destabilize the country under the guise of civil unrest.

During the session, Yousefi dismantled Germany’s attempt to occupy the moral high ground, reminding Dittmann of Berlin’s dark history of providing chemical weapons to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein’s regime during his war against Iran in the 1980s.

He emphasized that a state that refuses to compensate victims of its chemical weapons and maintains “comprehensive support for the genocide of Palestinians” has no standing to lecture Iranians on human rights.

Furthermore, the ministry condemned Germany’s provocative stance during Israel’s 12-day war on Iran last June, characterizing Berlin as a partner in regional aggression.

The German ambassador stated he would relay Tehran’s firm message back to Berlin.

Germany’s recent anti-Iran positions have intensified under Merz, marked by unwavering alignment with U.S. and Israeli pressures.

Berlin actively pushed for the European Union’s designation of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Such actions reveal Berlin’s double standards, as it overlooks Israel’s violations while interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and supporting efforts to undermine its sovereignty.