Iran’s foreign minister calls Munich Security Conference a ‘circus’
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has criticised the Munich Security Conference, accusing European powers of losing influence in negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In a post on social media platform X on Saturday, Araghchi said the annual security gathering had “turned into the 'Munich Circus'” when it comes to Iran, blaming the European Union and Germany for what he described as ineffective regional policies.
He said Europe is "now nowhere to be seen", despite once playing a central diplomatic role, adding that “the paralysis and irrelevance of the EU/E3 is displayed in the dynamics surrounding the current talks over Iran's nuclear programme”.
Araghchi added that “our friends in the region are far more effective and helpful than an empty-handed and peripheral E3,” and claimed that Germany “is leading the way in wholly surrendering its regional policy Israel”.
The remarks came as the 62nd Munich Security Conference opened on Friday, drawing more than 60 heads of state and government, alongside roughly 100 foreign and defence ministers.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
On the sidelines of the conference, Reza Pahlavi - the son of Iran’s former monarch - said that US military intervention could help accelerate political change inside Iran and claimed Washington should avoid prolonged negotiations with Tehran over a nuclear deal. Iranian officials are barred from attending the conference.
“It’s a matter of time. We are hoping that this attack will expedite the process and the people can be finally back in the streets and take it all the way to the ultimate regime’s downfall,” said Pahlavi, who lives in the US and has remained outside Iran since the 1979 Iranian revolution that toppled his father, the shah.
His remarks highlight the widening divide between Iran’s current leadership and exiled opposition figures over the future direction of the country, as international discussions over the nuclear file and regional tensions continue.
Iran’s opposition remains deeply divided among competing groups and ideological factions - including monarchists aligned with Pahlavi - and maintains only a limited organised presence within the Islamic Republic.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
