Germany putting 'political pressure' on Iran amid deadly protests

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany is monitoring the nationwide protests in Iran and putting “political pressure” on Tehran, a spokesperson for the German federal government told Rudaw on Wednesday.

“The federal government is certainly monitoring the situation, using all the tools at its disposal, and is focusing attention on this region and this country,” Stefan Kornelius said during a press briefing, adding, “We are assessing the situation and applying political pressure; this is clear in our statements. Of course, we are preparing ourselves for any new developments, such as those currently taking place in the Middle East.”

Iran has seen widespread nationwide demonstrations since late December. Thousands of protesters and security personnel are believed to have been killed. An internet blackout and cut telephone lines have also been making it extremely difficult for media and monitoring groups to determine the exact death toll.

Amnesty International on Wednesday stated that the “massacre” of protesters in Iran “demands global diplomatic action to signal an end to impunity.”

“Verified videos and credible information from eyewitnesses in Iran reveal mass unlawful killings committed on an unprecedented scale amidst an ongoing internet shutdown imposed by the authorities since 8 January to conceal their crimes,” Amnesty International said in a damning statement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday, “We are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” questioning the legitimacy of the Iranian establishment.

At the same conference, Rudaw asked Martin Giese, a spokesman for the German Foreign Office, about Germany’s plans regarding the Iranian unrest. He said the chancellor and foreign minister have discussed the matter “in order to make clear what we are doing: we are working through political pressure.”

“For many years, Germany has been working, with the support of parts of the United Nations, to promote human rights in Iran,” he added.

Similarly, Kornelius added that the German government “is not merely observing the events with concern; rather, it is calling on the Iranian regime to put an end to this violence and to allow a process of opening. We are in close contact on this matter with our European partners and with those in the Middle East.”

Alla Shally contributed to this article from Berlin.