TEHRAN, Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday lashed out at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the latter called for “increasing pressure” on Tehran.

Araghchi said through US social media company X that the E3 – Britain, France, and Germany – had effectively “put an end to their role” in nuclear negotiations by “pursuing the return of UN sanctions on Iran last September “at Merz’s insistence.”

“Now, Merz is begging to be allowed back into the same negotiations,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

Earlier Thursday, Merz said on X that Berlin “wants to work with” Persian Gulf states to “promote peace in the region,” but added that developments in Iran “stand in the way.”

“The violence must stop. We are prepared to further increase the pressure and to engage in talks aimed at bringing Iran’s nuclear programme to a swift end,” Merz wrote.

In response, Araghchi said Germany was once the “engine of Europe’s progress” but has now turned into an “engine of regression,” taking a swipe at the current German government.

“We Iranians have unfortunately been faced with several other examples of Merz’s political naivety and distasteful character,” he added.

The top Iranian diplomat claimed that the German chancellor had “expressed exuberance” following Israel’s attack on Iran last June and had also promoted the narrative of Iran “being weeks away from collapse.”

“Germans are a great people who have contributed to humankind with their hard work and ingenuity. Iran has always welcomed strong relations with Germany,” Araghchi also noted.

“It is therefore doubly regrettable that an individual such as Mr. Merz now represents Germany on the world stage.”

He added that he hoped a “more mature and honourable political leadership will return to Germany.”

Tensions have intensified between Iran and European countries – particularly Germany – following the recent unrest in Iran. European states have accused the Iranian government of a “crackdown” on protesters.

It was followed by the EU designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organization, further fueling tensions between the two sides.

Last Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to Tehran to protest remarks made by the German chancellor, describing them as “interventionist and offensive.”

Merz had said the Iranian government’s “days are numbered,” amid threats by US President Donald Trump to militarily intervene in the country.

Pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program has intensified in recent weeks, particularly since the outbreak of anti-government protests in late December, which Iran blamed on the US and Israel.