Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Germany of having "obliterated any shred of credibility" on human rights due to double standards, in a social media post responding to German criticism of Tehran's crackdown on protesters on January 13.

Protests in Iran that began on December 29, following the rial's collapse, have continued despite a near-total internet blackout imposed on January 8. Reports suggest the death toll has reached 650, though London-based Iran International has said the figure could be as high as 12,000 dead.

"Of all governments, the one in Germany is perhaps the worst placed to address 'human rights'. The reason is simple: its blatant double-standards over the past years have obliterated any shred of credibility," Araghchi wrote on social media platform X.

Araghchi said when Iran defeats terrorists who kill civilians and police officers, the German chancellor rushes to declare that "violence is an expression of weakness". "What, then, does Mr Merz have to say about his wholehearted support for the mass murder of 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza?" he wrote.

He referenced German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statements about Israel's June 2025 strikes on Iran.

"Iranians also recall Mr Merz's repugnant hailing of Israel when it bombed homes and businesses in our country last summer. That unprovoked and unlawful violence, the German Chancellor insisted, was Israel doing Europe a favour by carrying out its 'dirty work'," Araghchi wrote.

The foreign minister also criticised Germany's silence on what he described as "the recent U.S. kidnapping of a Head of State," following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas.

"My German counterpart's lecture about 'human rights' and 'legitimacy' is equally meaningless as his employer has done nothing to uphold either," he said.

"Do us all a favour: have some shame. Better yet, Germany should end its unlawful interference in our region—including its support for Genocide and Terrorism," Araghchi wrote.

Merz said on January 13 the Iranian regime is in its “final days and weeks”.

“I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime. When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime,” Reuters quoted Merz as saying.

Merz added Germany was in communication with the US as well as the United Kingdom and France about the situation in Iran noting that  “there can be a peaceful transition in Iran to a democratically legitimised government.”

The statement came after Iran summoned the German, French and British ambassadors on January 12 for clarification talks following support expressed by the countries' leaders for the protests.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, footage and videos were shown to ambassadors purporting to prove protesters are acting violently and harming security forces.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced on January 12 that she would ban the entry of Iranian diplomats to the Parliament headquarters.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Araghchi on January 12 that Britain expects Iranian authorities to immediately stop violence against protesters.