The German government had initially released a statement confirming President Frank-Walter Steinmeie would not be sending a congratulatory message to Tehran, “in light of current developments” within the Iranian regime. But Mr Steinmeier’s office “mistakenly” sent a draft message – that had been prepared in case the President changed his mind – to Iran on February 5, ahead of the national celebration on February 11. The exact wording of the message has not been released, but an insider said the backup message was “very critical”.
The German president was believed to have discussed two options on how to approach the Iranian national holiday, either by sending a critical message or no message at all.
Mr Steinmeier decided to go with the latter, and send no message acknowledging the February 11 celebrations.
But a letter had been prepared and forwarded to the German embassy in Tehran, eventually getting forwarded on to Iranian officials.
A government spokeswoman said this was due to a communication error.
An insider told Berlin’s Tagesspiegel newspaper: “Due to this mistake, the embassy sent out the draft text that had been prepared, early – on February 5 — and without approval from the president.”
An official spokeswoman said as soon as the mistake was noticed, the German ambassador in Tehran informed Iranian officials that there would not be an official message from Mr Steinmeier.
They also informed Iranian officials the earlier message had been sent without the final approval of the Federal President.
The government has refused to disclose what was said in the message, as it was an “internal draft”.
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Last year the President faced criticism for marking the revolution’s 40th anniversary.
Mr Steinmeier sent “warm congratulations” to Tehran “on behalf of my compatriots”.
Such a message was heavily condemned by groups such as the German Jewish leaders and the Human Rights Watch lobby group.
But the President defended the move and said that sending congratulations to the Iranians conforms with “the longstanding state practice of the Federal Republic of Germany”.
Today marks the 41st anniversary of the Iranian revolution and commemorations are taking place in more than 5,000 locations across Iran.
President Hassan Rouhani is due to address crowds at the central Tehran Freedom Square later today, where a strong turnout is expected as a show of solidarity after recent tensions with the US.