On Wednesday, the German government announced the prohibition of the Islamic Center in Hamburg, an organization under scrutiny for several months due to suspicions of supporting Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The ban includes all affiliated organizations across Germany, citing the center as an extremist Islamic organization with objectives conflicting with the country's constitution.

The German Interior Ministry accused the Islamic Center of being a direct representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, spreading Tehran's ideology in a hostile and radical manner. Allegations also include disseminating anti-Semitic propaganda, a concern that has become more pressing in Germany following increased anti-Semitic incidents related to the Gaza conflict since October 7.

Authorities conducted raids on 53 locations believed to be affiliated with the Islamic Center in various parts of Germany. Previously, a comprehensive search of 55 buildings associated with the center had taken place in November. Evidence collected during these inspections supported the ban, indicating that the center propagated a totalitarian Islamic ideology in Germany.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized that this action is not a crackdown on peaceful Shiite practices but rather a measure against extremist ideologies. She reiterated the German government's stance against any form of religious extremism, clarifying that the ban specifically targets supporters of radical Islamic thought.

The Islamic Center in Hamburg has historical significance, having been established by Iranian immigrants in 1954. It is closely monitored by Germany's internal intelligence service, being labeled as the second most significant Iranian spy hub in Germany after the Iranian embassy.

German authorities have long been urged to shut down the Imam Ali Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, operated by the Islamic Center due to its alleged ties to Iran. With the center now banned, the mosque, which had become a tourist attraction in recent years, will fall under German state ownership. The organization has also been linked to spreading a version of Islam contrary to human dignity, women's rights, judicial independence, and democratic principles.

Coinciding with the center's ban, the German police executed operations across multiple states, targeting other related organizations, including four Shiite mosques. These extensive actions aimed to dismantle the network believed to promote extremist ideologies and maintain ties to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.

Germany's move has sparked diplomatic repercussions. Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador, Hans-Udo Muzel, in response to the shutdown of the Islamic Center. The Iranian government condemned the measures, describing them as hostile and in stark contradiction to fundamental human rights principles. Tehran has voiced concerns over what it perceives as Islamophobia and an affront to religious teachings.

Hamburg's regional government welcomed the federal ban, with State Interior Minister Andy Grote describing the closure as a significant blow to Islamic extremism. The Islamic Center's activities were said to have extended throughout Europe, serving as a propaganda hub for Tehran.

In Berlin, alongside the crackdown on the Islamic Center, police raided a Shiite organization in the Neukölln district. The comprehensive nature of these operations reflects Germany's commitment to curbing extremist influences and maintaining constitutional integrity. The move follows Germany's 2020 designation of Hezbollah as an extremist Shiite organization and the subsequent prohibition of its activities within the country.