The key facts
- Iran summoned German Ambassador Axel Dittmann to the Foreign Ministry in response to the summoning of Iran's ambassador in Berlin
- Germany accused Tehran of planning attacks on pro-Israeli figures
- Iran called the accusations unsubstantiated and a 'long-standing practice' of some Western countries
Mutual summoning of ambassadors
Iranian authorities summoned the German ambassador to Tehran, Axel Dittmann, over the 'repetition of unsubstantiated accusations by the German authorities' against Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim agency reported on Monday. Dittmann was invited to Iran's Foreign Ministry, where the protest was conveyed to him by Alizera Yousefi, assistant to the foreign minister and director of the Western Europe department.
Iran's reaction
According to Tasnim, Yousefi emphasized that 'making security accusations against Iran is a long-standing practice of the Zionist regime and some Western countries'.
Background: the summons in Berlin
Iran's actions followed Germany's earlier summoning of the Iranian ambassador the same day, accusing Tehran of planning attacks on pro-Israeli figures and condemning the alleged plans 'in the strongest possible terms'. The German Foreign Ministry stated on social media: 'We do not tolerate attacks on Jewish life and on those who protect it — anywhere and certainly not in Germany.'
