US Welcomes Germany's Protest Against the Execution of Jamshid Sharmad

Abram Pili, the Deputy Special Representative of the US State Department for Iran, welcomed Germany's decision to close the Islamic Republic's consulates in Germany in protest against the 'unjust execution' of Jamshid Sharmad, a dual Iranian-German citizen. On Thursday, November 1, Pili emphasized on his 'X' account: 'We are united with the international community to hold the regime [Iran] accountable.' The German Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday, November 1, that it would close all consular offices of the Islamic Republic in Germany, although the embassy would remain open. This is the latest action by Germany against the Iranian government following the execution of Jamshid Sharmad, a dual Iranian-German citizen, by the Islamic Republic on Monday. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that Mr. Sharmad's execution has created 'severe' tension in bilateral relations between Berlin and Tehran. Meanwhile, Germany has summoned its ambassador from Iran and called in the chargé d'affaires of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Berlin to express its protest against the execution of Jamshid Sharmad. Ghazaleh Sharmad, Jamshid Sharmad's daughter, has called for 'punishment for his killers.' In an interview with VOA, Ghazaleh Sharmad stated: 'We will not rest, and if the news is true, we will hold all those responsible for my father's murder accountable.' Joseph Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, also condemned the execution of Jamshid Sharmad, calling it a 'murder' and announced that the EU is considering measures in response to this action. Borrell wrote: 'Jamshid Sharmad, a citizen of the European Union in Iran, was executed. We condemn his murder in the strongest possible terms.' He emphasized that 'the EU is strongly opposed to the death penalty at any time and under any circumstances' and expressed solidarity with the German government, with which they are in contact. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic announced on Monday the execution of this political activist. Jamshid Sharmad, 68, a German citizen with permanent residency in the United States, was abducted by the Iranian intelligence forces in the UAE in the summer of 2020 and forcibly transferred to Iran. After a trial that the international community deems 'fabricated,' he was sentenced to death on charges of 'corruption on earth.' A spokesperson for the US State Department emphasized in response to Jamshid Sharmad's execution that the Islamic Republic executes Iranians simply for exercising their fundamental human rights. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, stated on Monday, November 1, in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmad, a dual Iranian-German citizen, by the Islamic Republic: 'The Iranian government executes its citizens in response to their exercise of their fundamental human rights.' Mr. Miller emphasized: 'The execution of prisoners by the Islamic Republic is a fundamental violation of their human rights, and the US has repeatedly stated its opposition to it.' Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, in response to a request from VOA for comment on the execution of Jamshid Sharmad by the Islamic Republic, stated that the 'killing' of a German citizen has serious consequences. The reactions from the US government to the execution of Jamshid Sharmad by the Islamic Republic highlight the ongoing tensions and the international community's condemnation of Iran's human rights violations.