Iran rejects German Chancellor Merz's remarks as hypocrisy

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday rejected recent remarks by German Chancellor Olaf Merz, which referenced an alleged Iranian "war," a "military nuclear program," and regional "proxies." Baghaei described these labels as deliberate fabrications intended to cover up the crimes of aggressors.

"It was the US and the Israeli regime—not Iran—that launched a war of aggression, and Germany failed to show even the minimum moral courage required to deplore that," Baghaei stated, using the term "USrael" to emphasize what he called the seamless coordination and shared culpability between Washington and Tel Aviv. He also rejected the Western designation of regional resistance movements as mere "proxies." "Those Berlin labels 'proxies' are independent actors with their own clear causes and calculations. They are fighting for self-determination, freedom, and dignity against occupation, aggression, and subjugation," Baghaei explained, referring to the Axis of Resistance factions across West Asia.

The Iranian official reiterated that Tehran possesses no "military" nuclear program, describing the allegation as an "Israeli-fabricated 'big lie'" that is routinely repeated by Tel Aviv's apologists in European capitals to justify acts of war. According to Press TV, the Iranian diplomat took direct aim at Germany's historical posture, suggesting that Berlin's foreign policy is driven by a misplaced "guilt complex" that leads it to blindly appease bullies and enable war crimes. "Our region should not have to pay the price for Germany's guilt complex or its habit of appeasement vis-a-vis bullies," Baghaei said. "Germany cannot underwrite the 'dirty work' and then pose as a champion of peace and a moral instructor."

The rebuke from Tehran follows a series of statements by Merz, who has vocally backed the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Iran and European states over the conflict and Iran's nuclear program. According to Mehr News, Baghaei's remarks underscore Iran's rejection of external criticism and its insistence that regional resistance groups act independently.