Iran rejects German chancellor’s claims on nuclear program, regional allies

Iran on Wednesday rejected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s accusations concerning Tehran’s nuclear program and regional allies, accusing Berlin of presenting a “knowingly distorted” narrative.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on US social media company X that it was the US and Israel, not Iran, that launched the war, criticizing Germany for failing to condemn the attacks.

He rejected Merz’s description of Iran’s regional allies as “proxies,” saying they are “independent actors with their own clear causes and calculations.”

Baqaei denied that Tehran has a military nuclear program and accused Germany of supporting Israel while presenting itself as a “champion of peace.”

Merz urged Iran on Tuesday to end its “destabilizing activities” in the region, stop supporting proxies and halt Tehran’s “military nuclear program.”

Speaking alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Berlin, Merz also urged Tehran not to extend the war into Iraq and called for an end to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.