Germany Summons Iran Ambassador Over Assassination Plot Against Jewish Leaders

Germany's Foreign Ministry announced Monday that it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to Berlin following intelligence about an assassination plot targeting two prominent Jewish figures. The targets were identified as Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society. "We will not tolerate any attacks on Jewish life or on those who defend it, anywhere, and certainly not in Germany," the ministry stated on social media platform X, vowing prosecution for any such attempts. Berlin strongly condemned Iran's activities, asserting its refusal to allow Tehran to threaten German society. The ministry also reiterated its support for designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization by the European Union and for measures against individuals allegedly involved in assassination attempts attributed to Iran globally. This diplomatic action follows a recent German court conviction of two men involved in planning the assassination of Josef Schuster. The court determined that one suspect had been manipulated by Iranian intelligence services. A Danish national, identified as Ali S., received an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence for preparing an assassination and aggravated arson. Evidence presented indicated that in early 2025, he was tasked with gathering information on Schuster and Beck, as well as monitoring two Jewish merchants in Berlin. His accomplice, an Afghan national named Tawab M., was sentenced to four and a half years for his role in the conspiracy. Both men were indicted by the German Federal Public Prosecutor in May. The case arises amid broader concerns over threats against Jewish community leaders in Germany, with Berlin emphasizing its commitment to combating intimidation and preventing foreign actors from endangering its society. Last week, 29 countries, including Germany, issued a joint statement condemning Iran's terrorist activities within their borders.