ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany will not take part in efforts to change Iran’s political system, the country’s foreign minister said on Thursday, stressing that any future political transformation must be decided by the Iranian people themselves.
Responding to a question by Rudaw's Alla Shally while speaking to reporters regarding whether Germany supports a federal political system in Iran, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the German government would not "participate in concrete measures for regime change in any country, including Iran," adding that they "maintain in contact with some opposition groups; that is correct and necessary."
“We stand on the side of the people in Iran,” Wadephul said, adding that "this particularly includes the Kurdish men and women who suffer in a specific way under this nefarious regime"
He referred to the case of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini, a Kurdish girl from Iran, whose death in custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests in the country and drew global attention to the treatment of women and minorities in the country.
“The fate of Amini reached the whole world a few years ago and sparked major protests even then,” Wadephul said.
Referring to the situation of Kurds in Iran, Wadephul hoped that "it will be possible for the Kurds to live a life of dignity and equality in Iran in the future."
Wadephul also said that they "cannot decide that from here" to support the Kurds in changing the regime, adding that, however, they rely "on the Iranian people themselves being the ones who are ultimately able to take their fate into their own hands and perhaps overcome this regime."
His remarks come amid the ongoing US and Israel military operation against Iran that has entered its sixth day.