Germany's closure of Iranian consulates sparks diplomatic fallout with Tehran

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the German chargé d'affaires in Tehran following Germany's decision to close all Iranian consulates general within its borders.

The envoy received formal protest for Berlin's actions, which Iran stated would prevent both Iranian and German citizens from accessing necessary consular services, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Previously, German media reported that Germany’s government had decided to shut down Iranian consulates in Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, and Munich, though the Iranian embassy in Berlin will remain operational. This move responds to Iran’s recent execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a dual Iranian-German national.

On October 29, Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires and recalled its ambassador to Tehran for consultations. The German ambassador departed Tehran on Wednesday. Berlin has clarified that these measures were taken in protest against Sharmahd's execution.

Iranian authorities executed Jamshid Sharmahd on charges of terrorism on October 28. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the execution, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed strong disapproval and condolences to Sharmahd’s family.

Sharmahd, who held German citizenship and a U.S. residence permit, was accused by Iran of leading the “terrorist” group Tondar and orchestrating attacks in Iran. Tehran stated that he was involved in a 2008 bombing at a Shiraz mosque that killed 14 and injured over 200, and alleged he had planned other large-scale attacks. Iranian media also reported plans for an attack on the Russian consulate in Resht, allegedly linked to Tondar.

Sharmahd was detained in August 2020, and reportedly kidnapped in Dubai during a layover, according to German officials. He was sentenced to death by Iran’s Supreme Court in 2023. Chancellor Scholz and Foreign Minister Baerbock noted that Sharmahd was not given an adequate defence in court and reiterated Germany’s warnings that his execution would have significant repercussions.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the execution, reiterating the EU's firm opposition to the death penalty, which he stated “violates the right to life and fundamentally undermines human dignity.”

By Tamilla Hasanova