German FM expresses regret over attack on Iranian Embassy

TEHRAN,Dec.1(MNA) – German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed regret over the recent attack on the Iranian Embassy in Berlin. According to AP, a group of assailants pelted the Iranian Embassy in the German capital with stones and paint on Wednesday afternoon. Berlin police said that about 30 were involved in the incident. The assailants did not enter the building, and authorities were able to detain 10 of them. During a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Wednesday, Westerwelle said, “As the foreign minister and on behalf of the German government, I officially express regret over the attack on the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Berlin and strongly condemn the action.” “A number of people have been arrested in the incident who will be put on trial,” he stated, adding, “The German government regards protecting the Iranian Embassy and consulates in Germany as its duty and will prevent such an incident from taking place again.” During the conversation, Salehi expressed regret over the incident, and said, “Given the previous notices made by the embassy, we had expected the German government and police to prevent the incident from happening and fulfill its responsibilities properly.” The Iranian foreign minister also called for an investigation into the incident and the trial of the people involved in the attack.