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Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian
Photo Credit: IMAGO/IRNA / IMAGO/UPI Photo
After German criticism of Tehran's violent actions against the nationwide protests, Iran's foreign minister threatened to react.
"Germany can choose to engage in tackling common challenges - or to confront," Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian said on Twitter on Thursday. "Our response will be appropriate and resolute." Damaging historic relationships will have long-term consequences.
The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) turned against the Iranian regime on Twitter on Wednesday: "We stand by the men and women in Iran, not just today, but: as long as it is necessary." Another sanctions package will be prepared.
"At the same time, we are working to ensure that there is a special session on Iran in the UN Human Rights Council and that an investigation mechanism is mandated."
After the outbreak of the nationwide system-critical protests, the tone between Berlin and Tehran recently intensified.
On Wednesday, the Bundestag discussed an application by the traffic light groups.
In it, the SPD, Greens and FDP advocate supporting the protest in Iran with additional sanctions against Tehran and better protection for opposition members who have fled.
The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of the 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini in mid-September.
The moral police had arrested the young woman because of her allegedly "un-Islamic outfit".
She fell into a coma and died in hospital on September 16.
The police deny using violence.
sog/dpa/Reuters