Tehran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's position against Iran as naive and distasteful, expressing hope for a more mature and honorable political leadership in Germany.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a post on his X account on Thursday, Araghchi reacted to the recent varied claims made by Merz, saying, 'Germany was once the engine of Europe's progress; now it has turned into an engine of regression.'

Araghchi highlighted that last September in New York, at Merz's insistence, the E3 ended their role in nuclear negotiations by pursuing the return of UN sanctions on Iran. He noted that now, Merz is seeking to be allowed back into the same negotiations.

The top Iranian diplomat elaborated on other instances of Merz's political naivety, citing when Israel killed over 1,000 Iranians in June 2025, Merz expressed exuberance. Additionally, Merz has publicly speculated about Iran being weeks away from collapse.

Araghchi emphasized that Germans are a great people who have significantly contributed to humankind with their hard work and ingenuity. Iran has always welcomed strong relations with Germany, making it regrettable that Merz represents Germany on the world stage.

He concluded by expressing hope for more mature and honorable political leadership to return to Germany.