Iran slams German FM over Strait of Hormuz 'mine clearance' remarks

Iran has sharply criticized Germany over remarks made by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul concerning the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Berlin of complicity in military aggression against Tehran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described Wadephul's comments as "utterly shameful" and a "grotesque distortion of reality."

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The German Foreign Minister's rhetoric on the Strait of Hormuz is utterly shameful -- a grotesque distortion of reality that reeks of Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust.

Baghaei asserted that Germany must be held fully accountable for its active participation in what he called the "crime of aggression" against Iran. He stated that Germany cannot evade responsibility through its statements, emphasizing that "no amount of offensive posturing will allow the Berlin regime to evade responsibility for its role in this illegal war and the war crimes committed against the Iranian people."

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Germany must be held fully accountable for its complicity in military aggression against Iran and bear the heavy costs of its active participation in the crime of aggression.

The exchange was triggered by Wadephul's suggestion that Iran should bear the costs of clearing mines from international shipping routes. He accused Tehran of unlawfully mining a key maritime corridor, adding that while Germany is not currently planning to charge Iran, it would be justified given the damage caused by the regime.

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We do not need to offer Tehran anything at all; quite the contrary: Iran has unlawfully mined an international shipping lane.

Meanwhile, Iran has denied reports of imminent bilateral negotiations with the United States, with Baghaei stating no talks are scheduled. This comes amidst ongoing tensions, including recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about the possibility of military action against Iran.

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It would be justified for Tehran to pay the costs since we would be remedying damage caused by the regime.