Feb 5, 2026, 12:13 p.mFeb 5, 2026, 12:13 p.m
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi sharply criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and expressed hope for a change of government in Berlin. On Platform X, Araghtschi accused Merz of “political naivety” and a “disgusting character”.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Image: keystone
Araghtschi further wrote that Iran has always maintained close relations with Germany. “It is all the more regrettable that a person like Mr. Merz now represents Germany on the world stage.” The minister emphasized: “We hope that Germany will again have a more mature and honorable political leadership.” Germany went from being the “engine of progress in Europe” to the “engine of regression.”
Merz threatened Tehran with new sanctions
Araghtschi responded with his criticism to statements made by Merz on Germany is ready to increase pressure and start talks in order to quickly end the Iranian nuclear program. The Christian Democrat made similar comments on Wednesday before the start of his first trip to the Gulf region.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz.Image: keystone
The background is planned indirect talks between Iran and the USA, which, according to Iranian sources, are scheduled to begin on Friday in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Tehran says it wants to negotiate exclusively about its nuclear program. The US also wants to address the missile program, human rights violations and support for armed anti-Israel groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Are the USA and Iran ready to make concessions?
The discussions are accompanied by a lot of skepticism. From the perspective of Israeli Iran expert Raz Zimmt, the key questions are whether the maximum concessions Iran might be willing to make correspond to the minimum concessions US President Donald Trump is willing to accept, and what he is willing to offer Iran in return.
Araghtschi also criticized the fact that Germany, France and Great Britain (E3) triggered the so-called snapback mechanism in September 2025. This allows UN sanctions against Iran to be reactivated, which de facto suspended the Vienna nuclear agreement of 2015. Iran describes this decision as irresponsible. The snapback mechanism is intended as a sanctions mechanism in the nuclear agreement.
Merz expected the leadership in Tehran to end soon
After the US exit from the agreement in 2018 under Donald Trump, the E3 initially tried to circumvent US sanctions. Since 2024, however, they have taken a more restrictive course again and supported the return to international sanctions. Iran was particularly disappointed with Germany’s attitude.
Another point of criticism from Araghtschi concerns Merz’s statements about the recent mass protests in Iran: “If a regime can only hold on to power through violence, then it is effectively over. I assume that we are now seeing the last days and weeks of this regime,” said Merz in mid-January. Tehran spoke of “irresponsible interference in Iran’s internal affairs.”
Journalists in Tehran see Araghchi’s comments as a sign of growing frustration among the political leadership, triggered by losses of power in the country, increasing international isolation and expected concessions to the USA. In addition, Araghtschi was not invited to the upcoming Munich Security Conference, but Resa Pahlavi, son of the former Shah and de facto leader of the protest movement. (dab/sda/dpa)