Germany orders shutdown of all Iranian Consulates over prisoner execution

Germany orders shutdown of all Iranian Consulates over prisoner execution


Germany has announced the closure of all of the Iranian consulates in the country due to the recent execution of an Iranian-German prisoner.

Earlier this week, Iran announced the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German dual citizen kidnapped by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020. Iranian authorities executed 69-year-old Sharmahd on Monday, claiming he was guilty of terrorism offenses, Iran’s judiciary reported.

The 2023 trial that led to his death sentence had been widely condemned as a sham by Germany, the United States and multiple international human rights organizations.

Consulate Closures

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced the closure of Iran’s consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, effectively limiting the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic presence in Germany to its embassy in Berlin.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires on Tuesday, issuing a formal protest over the execution of Sharmahd. German Ambassador Markus Potzel also lodged a protest directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi before being recalled to Berlin for consultations.

Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German national, is seen on February 6, 2022, while being held prisoner in Tehran. On October 31, 2024, Germany announced it was closing the Iranian consulates in the country over the recent…


Koosha Mahshid Falahi/Mizan News Agency via AP, File/Koosha Mahshid Falahi/Mizan News Agency via AP, File

Jamshid Sharmahd

Iran accused Sharmahd, a resident of Glendora, California, of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people and injured more than 200. Authorities also claimed he planned additional attacks through the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, a fringe opposition group, and its militant wing, Tondar.

Iran further alleged that Sharmahd revealed “classified information” about Revolutionary Guard missile sites during a televised broadcast in 2017.

Announcing his execution, the Iranian judiciary said, “Without a doubt, the divine promise regarding the supporters of terrorism will be fulfilled, and this is a definite promise.”

Sharmahd was among several Iranian dissidents living abroad who, in recent years, have been lured or forcibly taken back to Iran as Tehran intensified its crackdowns following the breakdown of its 2015 nuclear agreement with global powers, including Germany.

Iran’s Response

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Araghchi criticized the move by Germany saying, “No terrorist enjoys impunity in Iran. Even if supported by Germany.”

“Iranian national Jamshid Sharmahd openly and unashamedly led a terrorist attack on a MOSQUE that killed 14 innocent people—including women and children. More than 200 were injured. The evidence is public and available for all to see. A German passport does not provide impunity to anyone, let alone a terrorist criminal. Enough with the gaslighting @ABaerbock,” Araghchi said.

He added: “Stop supporting child killers and terrorists and do not hide yourself behind hypocritical human rights slogans. We have not forgotten about the chemical weapons provided to Saddam’s regime by German nationals.”

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said “the execution of a European citizen is seriously harming relations between Iran and the European Union.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.



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Kevin Harson

I am an editor for Glamour Canada , focusing on business and entrepreneurship. I love uncovering emerging trends and crafting stories that inspire and inform readers about innovative ventures and industry insights.

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