Germany has announced the closure of all three Iranian consulates within its borders in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a dual German-Iranian citizen, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
This decision marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between Germany and Iran.
Baerbock stated during her remarks in New York, “We have repeatedly made it clear that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences.”
As a result, she has ordered the closure of the Iranian consulates-general located in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, and Hamburg.
The move comes after the Iranian government publicly announced Sharmahd’s execution on October 28, which Baerbock condemned, asserting that relations with Iran have reached “more than a low point” following this incident.
In light of these developments, Germany had already recalled its ambassador for consultations and summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires to express Berlin’s strong objections to the execution.
Baerbock described the act as indicative of the Iranian “regime of injustice” that continues to carry out brutal actions against its own citizens.
As part of the closure order, the 32 staff members at the three consulates must vacate their positions in Germany unless they hold German citizenship.
However, the German embassy in Berlin will remain unaffected by this directive.
In Tehran, the Iranian government reacted by summoning Germany’s charge d’affaires to protest what it deemed an “unjust” decision.
Iranian state media reported that Sharmahd was executed following his conviction for involvement in terrorist activities, a claim that has been met with skepticism by Sharmahd’s family.
Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, emphasized that holding a German passport does not exempt individuals from facing justice under Iranian law.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined Baerbock in denouncing the execution, labeling it a “scandal” for the Iranian authorities.
The international community echoed this sentiment, with Deputy Special Envoy Abram Paley of the U.S. Office of the Special Envoy for Iran commending Germany’s decision to close the consulates.
He stated on X, “We stand united with the international community in holding the regime accountable,” referring to Sharmahd’s execution as “unjust.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned Sharmahd’s execution, indicating that the European Union is contemplating additional measures in response to this act of violence.
Sharmahd, who was 69 at the time of his execution, had been accused by Iran of leading a pro-monarchist group implicated in a deadly bombing in 2008.
The attack, which took place at the Sayyid al-Shuhada Husseiniya mosque in Shiraz during a memorial ceremony for Imam Hussein, resulted in the deaths of fourteen Iranians and left 210 others injured.
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry accused Sharmahd of orchestrating the bombing, a charge that his family has dismissed as “ridiculous,” claiming it lacks credibility.
