Iran criticises Germany and European partners over shifting stance on Israel attacks

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has criticised what he described as contradictory and irresponsible positions taken by Germany and its European partners regarding US and Israeli military aggression against Iran, according to Mehr News.

In a post on social media, the senior Iranian diplomat referred to a statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in June 2025 about Israel's aggression against Iran. Baghaei quoted Merz as saying at the time: "This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us." He then contrasted that remark with what he said were more recent European positions, writing, "October 2026: German Foreign Minister (and others) warn against renewed attacks on Iran and stress the need to prevent further escalation."

By placing the two statements side by side, Baghaei sought to highlight what Tehran views as a shift in European rhetoric — from apparent endorsement of Israeli military action to warnings against further escalation. The spokesman did not elaborate on specific European measures or statements beyond those he cited in the post.

Baghaei closed his message with a quotation from Friedrich Schiller's play The Maid of Orleans, Act III, Scene VI, which refers to "exalted Reason, bright daughter of the divine mind, wise architect of the universe and guide of the stars" and asks who reason is if, "bound to the tail of the wild horse of madness," it must watch helplessly while being dragged alongside a drunken rider into the abyss. The literary reference appeared intended to characterise the European stance as inconsistent.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions over US and Israeli military actions against Iran and continuing diplomatic debate among European capitals over how to respond. The report by Mehr News did not provide further details on the specific European statements referenced by the spokesman or on any official responses from the German government or other European authorities.