Iran’s Foreign Ministry Accused Germany of Double Standards on Human Rights

The sharp reaction of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was not merely a diplomatic jab, but a reflection of a deeper problem - the loss of a universal language on human rights. Tehran effectively questioned Berlin’s moral authority to make such assessments.

The context of the dispute is linked to statements by the German chancellor regarding the legitimacy of Iran’s authorities and the human rights situation in the country. These remarks were made against the backdrop of ongoing protests in Iran and increased Western attention to the internal politics of the Islamic Republic. For Tehran, such statements are viewed as direct interference in domestic affairs.

The logic of the Iranian side is based on comparison. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi pointed to Germany’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, its approval of strikes on Iranian territory, and Berlin’s silence regarding the abduction of Venezuela’s president. In doing so, Tehran sought to demonstrate that human rights rhetoric is applied selectively and depends on political expediency.

The political consequences of this exchange go beyond bilateral relations. Such statements deepen the rift between Iran and European countries, complicate prospects for dialogue, and reinforce Tehran’s position that Western states apply double standards in international politics.

At the same time, it remains unclear whether this exchange will lead to practical steps. Germany is unlikely to abandon its criticism of Iran, while Tehran, for its part, will continue to use Gaza and regional conflicts as arguments against Europe’s moral authority. For now, this is more a struggle over interpretation than an attempt to change the situation itself.