Iran Summons German Ambassador Amid Tensions Over Raid on Islamic Group
In a move that has raised concerns over diplomatic tensions between Iran and Germany, the Iranian government has summoned the German ambassador to Tehran for a special meeting. The summoning comes following a recent raid on an Islamic group in Germany, which was accused of seeking to establish a theocratic rule in the country.
According to German officials, the group in question, known as the Islamic Hezbollah (IZH), was raided by German law enforcement agencies on Friday, with multiple arrests made. The IZH, which is based in the city of Dresden, was said to be acting as a direct representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and sought to bring about an Islamic revolution in Germany.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming the raid and the subsequent arrests, describing the IZH as a "militant extremist organization" that aimed to overthrow the German government and establish a theocratic state based on Islamic law. The ministry stated that the group had been spreading propaganda and recruiting new members, with the ultimate goal of creating chaos and instability in the country.
In response to the raid, Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador to Tehran for a meeting on Saturday, with Iran’s state news agency reporting that the ambassador was "called in for consultation" over the incident. It is not clear what specific actions Iran is demanding of Germany or what response the German government plans to offer.
The raid on the IZH comes at a time of increasing tensions between Iran and Germany, following a series of disputes over issues including human rights, trade, and foreign policy. Iran has been critical of Germany’s decision to join the US-led coalition of countries imposing economic sanctions on Iran in response to its nuclear program, and has accused Germany of collaborating with the United States in its campaign against Iran.
Germany, on the other hand, has expressed concerns over human rights abuses in Iran and has called on the country to respect the rights of its citizens. The raid on the IZH is likely to further exacerbate tensions between the two countries, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days and weeks.
In a statement issued on Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the IZH’s activities, saying that Germany would not tolerate any attempts to overthrow the government or undermine the country’s democratic system. "Germany is a secular country with a strong tradition of democracy and human rights, and we will not allow any groups to undermine our values or seek to impose a theocratic state," she said.
The incident is likely to have implications for relations between Germany and Iran, and may lead to increased tensions between the two countries. It also highlights the growing concerns over the spread of extremist ideology and the role that Iran may be playing in supporting such groups abroad.