Germany ordered the closure of three Iranian consulates on Thursday in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian citizen who was executed on Monday following a trial widely condemned by Germany, the U.S., and human rights groups as unjust. The closures affect Iranian consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, leaving only the Iranian embassy in Berlin.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Sharmahd’s execution, which Iran conducted on terrorism charges related to a 2008 mosque attack. Baerbock said Germany had warned Iran that executing a German citizen would have “serious consequences” and added that Germany would work to enact EU-wide sanctions on those involved, including Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, defended the trial, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserting that a German passport offers no “impunity” and criticizing Germany’s support for Israel amid Middle East tensions. The closure follows previous diplomatic measures by Germany, including limiting Russia’s consulates last year, and signals a further deterioration in German-Iranian relations.
Germany is also pushing for EU sanctions and is committed to securing the release of other German citizens detained in Iran, according to Baerbock.
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