Araqchi made the remark in a post on X on Thursday, responding directly to an earlier statement by Merz on the platform.
Merz had declared Germany’s willingness to both intensify pressure and participate in discussions aimed at what he called a swiftly ending Iran’s nuclear program.
Araqchi wrote that Iranians have unfortunately witnessed several other examples of the German chancellor’s “political naivety and distasteful character.”
Araqchi recalled a key moment that sidelined Germany.
He stated that in New York last September, the European troika—France, Germany, and Britain—under Merz’s insistence, withdrew from the nuclear negotiations by pushing for the restoration of UN sanctions against Iran.
“Now, Merz is begging to be allowed back into the same negotiations,” Araqchi wrote.
The Iranian top diplomat also pointed out that Merz expressed "exuberance" following Israel’s killing of over 1,000 Iranians in June 2025.
He added that Merz publicly speculated at the time that the Islamic Republic was on the brink of collapse and could fall in mere weeks.
Araqchi also acknowledged Germany’s positive contributions, noting that the German people have made significant contributions to humanity through their hard work and ingenuity, stressing that Iran has consistently welcomed a robust relationship with Germany.
“It is therefore doubly regrettable that an individual such as Mr. Merz now represents Germany on the world stage,” he wrote.
Araqchi concluded by saying he hopes a more mature and honorable political leadership would return to Germany.
Merz’s original statement focused on regional implications. In his X post, the German chancellor claimed that developments in Iran stand in the way of Germany’s cooperation with the Persian Gulf littoral states to promote peace in the region.
“We are prepared to further increase the pressure and to engage in talks aimed at bringing Iran's nuclear program to a swift end,” Merz said.
Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold a fresh round of nuclear negotiations in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday.
According to Iranian media reports, the negotiations would focus exclusively on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program and the lifting of sanctions, with no discussion of other issues.
Araqchi is expected to lead the Iranian delegation, which will include his deputies Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi.
The United States will be represented by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the reports.