ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday warned that Tehran would no longer observe “red lines” in its response to attacks against it, criticizing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for previously welcoming US and Israeli strikes on the country.

In June, Merz defended the Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, saying that Israel was doing the “dirty work” of European countries by targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, and praising the Israeli army and government for having “the courage to do this,” in remarks to media during the G7 Summit in Canada.

“When Israel-US bombings of Iran began last year, Mr. Merz hailed them,” Araghchi wrote in a post on X, warning that €100 billion incurred by Europe in the war is “nothing compared to the Earth-shattering blow Iran's powerful armed forces will deal against those who dare harm our people.”

“Red lines are a thing of the past,” he warned.

The Iranian minister was referring to the chancellor’s remarks to reporters during a South Korea visit on Friday, where he said the war cost Europe more than €100 billion from higher energy prices alone, calling it a “large-scale impact on Europe.”

Merz also remarked that the loss is why Europe has a “direct economic interest in this confrontation ending as quickly as possible,” saying the crisis cannot be resolved through military force but by dialogue and negotiations.

Tehran-Berlin relations have deteriorated over the years due to several issues, including Iran's nuclear program, its support for armed groups across the Middle East, and its reported human rights abuses, with both sides repeatedly summoning each other's ambassadors to convey diplomatic protests.

Meanwhile, Tehran accuses Berlin of supporting US and Israeli military attacks on Iranian territory and interfering in its internal affairs.