Germany says Iran protests ‘deserve our respect’

Germany’s government says protests against the economic and political situation in Iran “deserve our respect.”

A spokeswoman for Chancellor Angela Merkel says Berlin is closely watching developments in the country, which has seen growing economic ties with Germany in recent years.

Ulrike Demmer tells reporters in Berlin that “in the view of the German government it’s legitimate and deserves our respect when people have the courage to take to the streets with their economic and political concerns, as is currently the case in Iran.”

Demmer says Germany is calling on the government in Tehran to respect freedom of assembly and speech, and to show its willingness to engage in dialogue with protesters.

She says where there is violence, the state should react proportionately and within the rule of law.

— AP