TEHRAN, Iran

Iran vowed on Tuesday to reciprocate any restriction imposed on Tehran after a European parliamentary decision to ban Iranian diplomats amid ongoing protests in the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on the US social media company X, said Tehran does not seek enmity with the European Union but “will reciprocate any restriction.”

The warning came a day after European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Monday that Iranian diplomats will be barred from entering parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as the secretariat in Luxembourg, over what she described as a “crackdown” on protests in Iran.

“Those braving the streets, those political prisoners still detained, need more than just solidarity,” Metsola said in a letter to members of the European Parliament.

“I have taken the decision to ban all diplomats, staff of diplomatic missions, government officials and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from entering any premises of the European Parliament.”

Araghchi said the European Parliament has refused to take any action against Israel despite more than two years of war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 70,000 Palestinians.

He added that the bloc has allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on war crimes charges, to fly over European airspace.

“In contrast, it takes only a few days of violent riots in Iran for the European Parliament to physically ban our diplomats,” he said, adding that people “are not stupid” and that they see “what is unfolding with their own eyes.”

Araghchi also criticized the German government, saying it is “worst placed” to address human rights issues and that its “blatant double-standards over the past years have obliterated any shred of credibility.”

“When Iran defeats terrorists who kill civilians and police officers, the German Chancellor rushes to declare that ‘violence is an expression of weakness.’ What, then, does Mr. (Friedrich) Merz have to say about his wholehearted support for the mass murder of 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza,” he wrote on X.

During a visit to India on Tuesday, Merz said the Iranian government is “witnessing the final days and weeks,” adding that Germany is coordinating with the United States and European countries over developments in Iran.

In response, Araghchi said Iranians recall Merz’s “repugnant hailing of Israel when it bombed homes and businesses” in Iran last June, when the German chancellor said Israel was doing Europe a favor by carrying out its "dirty work".”

“This is to say nothing about how Germany has been mute about the recent US kidnapping of a Head of State. My German counterpart's lecture about "human rights" and "legitimacy" is equally meaningless as his employer has done nothing to uphold either,” he wrote, referring to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

“Do us all a favor: have some shame. Better yet, Germany should end its unlawful interference in our region -- including its support for Genocide and Terrorism.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was among European officials who condemned what he described as the “excessive use of violence” during the protests in Iran.

Protests erupted in Iran last month over deteriorating economic conditions and the record depreciation of the national currency, the rial.

Iranian government officials have accused the United States and Israel of backing what they describe as “riots” and “terrorism.”

There are no official casualty figures, but the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based rights group, estimates that the death toll has reached at least 646, including both security forces and protesters, with over 1,000 injured.

HRANA also reported that at least 10,721 people have been detained across protests in 585 locations nationwide, including 186 cities in all 31 provinces.