Full Breakdown
Iranian Newspaper Publishes Death Threat List for International Politicians After U.S.–Israeli Strikes
7/16/2026, 4:59:39 AM
Core Event
The ultraconservative Iranian daily *Hamshahri* released images depicting 13 foreign politicians, including German CDU leader Friedrich Merz, U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, wearing orange prison uniforms and labeled “wanted” for the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The publication follows the March 2024 U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and a statement by Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, promising “retaliation” for his father’s killing.
Background & Context
European nations have permitted U.S. and Israeli aircraft to traverse their airspace since the early-March strikes, prompting Iranian officials to frame the death-threat list as a response. The *Hamshahri* article, later removed from its website, warned that “the criminals will take their wish for a peaceful death to the grave.” Iranian authorities have a history of targeting foreign officials when domestic pressures rise.
German Security Assessment and Official Responses
German intelligence agencies estimate roughly 180 individuals in Germany linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard or intelligence service, capable of “disposable” attacks. Bundestag oversight chairman Marc Henrichmann warned that Iran’s services may plan attacks in Europe. SPD domestic-policy spokesperson Sebastian Fiedler told *Die Welt* that the threat level is high and current events could “stir up extremist groups and mobilize lone actors.” Deputy spokesperson Steffen Meyer said the government has taken note of the threat but offered no further comment. Green Party vice-president Omid Nouripour emphasized Germany’s past experience with Iranian state-sponsored terrorism and urged serious treatment of the threat.
Opposition and Expert Concerns
While some politicians argue that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s security detail is already “extremely tight,” others, including the Green Party and security experts, caution against complacency. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned that Iranian activities include “everything from threats against specific individuals to intelligence gathering aimed at planning potential attacks,” and noted that the agency’s capabilities have been weakened by ongoing attacks on Iran, potentially prompting a shift of operations abroad.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We share the interest of the United States and Israel in seeing an end to this regime's terror and its dangerous nuclear and ballistic armament.” — Friedrich Merz, CDU leader
- “Retaliation is inevitable. The criminals will take their wish for a peaceful death to the grave.” — *Hamshahri* statement
- “these include everything from threats against specific individuals to intelligence gathering aimed at planning potential attacks.” — Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Germany)
