Iranian media have blamed the German embassy in Tehran for the nationwide protests against the government. The British and French embassies were also criticized. In the past few weeks, the Iranian government had already accused the West of supporting the protests.
The system-critical mass protests were triggered by the death of the 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini. The moral police had arrested her because she allegedly did not comply with the mandatory rules for wearing a headscarf. The woman died in police custody on September 16. Since her death, thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule.
In recent weeks, several nationals of European countries have also been arrested in connection with the protests. The security authorities usually justify the arrests with allegations of espionage. Human rights activists, on the other hand, accuse Iran of holding foreign nationals as political hostages.