Horror among exiled Iranians: Merz's statements unsettle the community

Horror among exiled Iranians: Merz's statements unsettle the community

In recent days, the Iranian community in Germany has increasingly suffered from political developments. In particular, the statements made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who described Israel as “dirty work” for the West, caused waves. Bahman Abedini, an Iranian exile from Nuremberg who fled Iran in the late 1980s, expresses his horror at these statements. Abedini explains that he has cut off contact with his family in Iran to protect them from possible repression, and describes the fear that many Iranians feel about their loved ones. As br.de reports, the Iranian community is suffering like never before from the political pressure that many of their compatriots are experiencing at home.

The political reaction in Germany followed promptly: the SPD and the Greens sharply criticized Merz's choice of words. SPD politician Adis Ahmetovic described the statements as not very effective, while Luise Amtberg from the Green Party described them as “cynical and ignorant”. Despite the criticism, Merz defended his statements and explained that they were largely met with approval. It is clear here that the debate about Iran and the Israeli-Iranian relationship is making waves not only in these two countries themselves, but also on the international stage.

Military conflicts and strategic interests

Iran recently announced military attacks on Israel, which General François Chauvancy said was intended to be part of its strategic communications. However, he pointed out that despite their seriousness, these attacks have not achieved any significant success. Iran's attacks not only tested its military capabilities, but also revealed Israel's vulnerability to such attacks. According to mena-researchcenter.org, outdated military technologies were used, which raises the question of the extent to which Iran can still pose a serious threat to Israel.

In the geopolitical arena, Iran remains isolated despite its regional ambitions. Arab states are showing increasing interest in rapprochement with Israel, which further weakens Iran's strategic position. The military conflicts are not without consequences. Israel is already planning retaliatory measures, even if the US sees this as risky. The military operations in the Red Sea, where Iran is trying to mobilize military resources through the Houthis, also show the complexity of the situation in the Middle East.

The domestic political picture in Iran

At home, however, Iranians face completely different challenges. According to information from bpb.de, the country's economic situation has deteriorated drastically in recent years. The combination of international isolation, mismanagement and corruption has severely affected the quality of life of many Iranians. Statistics show that at least 30% of the population lives below the poverty line and that inflation and high unemployment characterize everyday life.

After the death of President Raisi and the upcoming by-elections in July 2024, the analyzes show historically low voter turnout and a deep mistrust in the fairness of the political system. Reform promises by new President Masoud Peseschkian raise hopes for change, but it is questionable whether they can be implemented in reality. The Iranian opposition remains diverse, but the common path to change is inconsistent and marked by numerous differences.

Abedini, who lives in exile, hopes for the possibility of a free Iran despite all odds. For him it is clear that change in Iran must come from the Iranians themselves and not through external military interventions. As he puts it, the path to liberating the Iranian people is not through Israeli attacks but must be an internal matter. In stressful times, he devotes himself to restoring carpets to find a bit of peace and serenity.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how developments in the Middle East will continue to unfold and what impact they will have on the Iranian population and its diaspora.