German Parliament Representative Calls Iran Tourism Promotion 'Irresponsible'

A member of the German Parliament deemed the promotion of tourism in Iran by a German media outlet as 'irresponsible.' Following the release of a promotional video for travel to Iran by the German television network 'ZDF,' Norbert Röttgen, a representative of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, reacted to this action in a tweet, labeling it 'irresponsible.' Röttgen tweeted to the television network: 'Promoting tourism to Iran is an irresponsible act, especially regarding a regime that has turned hostage diplomacy into a business model.' Recently, the 'ZDF' network showcased video footage of scenic and tourist attractions, introducing Iran as a country with 'abundant natural and cultural treasures' that is currently overlooked by many. The media outlet further attributed the 'tourism crisis' in Iran to the wave of protests and international isolation. Concurrently, as nationwide protests began last year in Iran, some European countries labeled Iran as an unsafe country and advised their citizens against traveling there. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany also stated in its annual report on Tuesday, June 30, that both Iran and Turkey focus on individuals and groups that are part of the political opposition to the government. Additionally, the German Federal Intelligence Service's report explicitly mentioned the state terrorism of the Islamic Republic for the first time.