Germany has recalled its ambassador to Iran and summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Berlin following Iran’s execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual national, convicted of terrorism by Iranian authorities. Sharmahd, 69, who had been held in Iranian custody since 2020, was sentenced to death amid allegations of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people and injured over 200. His death on Monday has sparked a surge of protest from his family, German officials, and the European Union, marking a new low in Germany-Iran relations.
Sharmahd’s execution has prompted a swift response from Germany, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemning the act as inhumane and issuing a stern warning to Iran. Baerbock stated that Germany had repeatedly cautioned Iran that executing a German national would entail “serious consequences.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed her sentiments, describing the execution as a “scandal” and underscoring Germany’s intolerance toward what he called the “inhumane practices of the Iranian regime.”
The decision to recall Germany’s ambassador to Tehran signals the gravity of the issue and follows years of strained relations between Germany and Iran over human rights abuses. German authorities have also ramped up diplomatic efforts to pressure the Iranian government into accountability, with some calling for additional sanctions.
Gazelle Sharmahd, Jamshid Sharmahd’s daughter, had tirelessly lobbied both the German and U.S. governments to intervene on her father’s behalf, only to feel “abandoned” by both administrations. Despite her persistent appeals, she reported that key figures, including Chancellor Scholz and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, declined to meet with her. Her disappointment intensified after her father’s exclusion from a high-profile U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange deal in September 2023, which saw $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets released in exchange for five detained Americans. U.S. officials defended the exclusion, stating that while Sharmahd held a green card, he was not a U.S. citizen and therefore did not qualify for inclusion in the deal.
Gazelle’s frustration spilled onto social media, where she shared a video in silent protest, dressed with symbolic elements reminiscent of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement that has gained traction in Iran over the past year. She also expressed grief and frustration, stating, “As I wait in silence, our bond is beyond words.”
The German opposition also reacted strongly. Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, called Sharmahd’s execution a “heinous crime” and urged the government to abandon “quiet diplomacy” in favor of a more confrontational approach. Merz, a longstanding advocate for Sharmahd’s release, emphasized that German-Iranian relations should be re-evaluated following the execution, calling for the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador in Germany. “Relations with Iran should be put to the test in view of the state-sponsored killing of a German citizen,” Merz stated.
Sharmahd’s case has revived debates within Germany about the effectiveness of quiet diplomacy, particularly when it comes to Iran. Mariam Claren, another German-Iranian with family detained in Iran, criticized the government’s approach, calling it “cold-hearted” and ineffective. “All requests from us families asking for a meeting always went unanswered,” she added, urging Berlin to reconsider its policies on dual-national detainees in Iran.
The European Union has joined Germany in denouncing the execution, with Josep Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, describing the execution as a deeply troubling sign of Iran’s ongoing disregard for human rights. The EU, which has maintained its own tense relationship with Iran, has indicated it will reassess its approach to Tehran in light of recent events. Although specifics remain unclear, Borrell suggested that targeted sanctions could be one avenue for the EU’s response.
European policymakers are concerned that Sharmahd’s execution could set a dangerous precedent, endangering other dual nationals held in Iranian custody and heightening regional tensions. The EU’s response may also include a renewed push for multilateral dialogues on Iran’s human rights record, which has been increasingly scrutinized by the international community.
In response to Germany’s outrage, Iran has defended its decision, citing Sharmahd’s alleged leadership role in the Tondar group, a pro-monarchist organization Iran holds responsible for the 2008 Shiraz mosque bombing. Iranian authorities contend that Sharmahd disclosed sensitive information about missile sites of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on a television program in 2017, actions which they allege placed Iranian national security at risk.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, accused Germany of hypocrisy, arguing that no nation should offer refuge to terrorists. He also accused Baerbock of “gaslighting” and claimed that Germany was offering sanctuary to individuals who commit acts of violence.
Gazelle Sharmahd has not shied away from accusing both Germany and the U.S. of failing to protect her father. In her social media posts, she held U.S. officials accountable for refusing to classify Sharmahd as an American, arguing that the U.S. government’s apathy contributed to his death. She further condemned the U.S. administration for releasing $6 billion in assets to Iran, an act she claimed emboldened her father’s captors and “tightened the noose around [his] neck.”
“Jimmy was kidnapped and abandoned – held hostage for four years while you did nothing, and was left behind every time the U.S. or EU negotiated with the terrorists,” she wrote in a statement online. Gazelle has been a prominent advocate for her father, launching campaigns and seeking public support to apply pressure on both American and European governments. Her grief and frustration have resonated across social media, drawing attention to the precarious position of other dual nationals in Iran.
In light of Gazelle’s accusations, the Biden administration faces growing criticism for its selective engagement in prisoner exchanges with Iran. Critics argue that the focus on American citizens overlooks the plight of residents like Sharmahd, who, although not U.S. citizens, have strong ties to the country.
The U.S. State Department has not issued a formal statement in response to Gazelle’s claims, though it has reiterated that prisoner exchanges are bound by certain eligibility criteria. Analysts speculate that the outcry surrounding Sharmahd’s death may prompt the administration to reassess its criteria for involvement in such cases. However, U.S. officials have historically treaded cautiously with Iran, particularly in cases involving dual nationals, to avoid escalating diplomatic tensions further.
As Germany and the EU contemplate retaliatory measures, international human rights organizations have renewed their calls for collective action against Iran’s detention and execution of foreign nationals. Human rights advocates argue that diplomatic condemnations alone may not deter the Iranian regime, and instead urge a coordinated approach involving economic sanctions and heightened diplomatic pressure.
The Sharmahd case has also highlighted the unique risks faced by dual nationals in Iran, who are often subjected to what human rights advocates describe as arbitrary detention and politically motivated trials. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have long raised concerns about Iran’s human rights abuses, particularly targeting dual nationals as potential bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations. This practice has led to increasing calls for clearer policies and protections for dual nationals, including enhanced coordination among Western nations when their citizens are detained in hostile territories.
