On Wednesday, October 9, Boris Rhein, the Prime Minister of Germany’s Hesse state, called for the closure of Iranian consulates in Germany, citing the Iranian regime’s support for proxy groups in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Rhein specifically requested that Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock shut down Iran’s consulate in Frankfurt, a key diplomatic mission for the Islamic Republic in the country.
In a letter to Baerbock, Rhein condemned Iran as one of the primary backers of terrorist activities in the region, particularly about recent missile attacks on Israel by Iranian-supported groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He emphasized that Tehran’s aggressive policies pose a threat not only to regional security but also to global stability.
#Iran #News: Regime’s Espionage and Terror Threats Highlighted in German Local Intelligence Report https://t.co/EjhnHXS3mG
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 19, 2024
The prime minister expressed his dismay over the presence of Iranian diplomatic representatives in Germany, stating, “It is unbearable that representatives of a regime that promotes such a criminal policy are present and operating in our country.”
The consulate in Frankfurt, which serves several federal states, including Hesse, has attracted attention in recent months for allegedly surveilling anti-regime protesters.
Rhein’s call comes amidst heightened tensions following the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks and a series of retaliatory strikes that have broadened into a multi-front conflict. This move by the Hesse government marks a growing stance within Germany to reassess diplomatic relations with Tehran in light of its regional involvement and human rights record.