Iran has announced that Jamshid Sharmahd, a dissident journalist and activist sentenced to death, died before his execution could be carried out. The judiciary’s spokesman dismissed Germany’s condemnation of his reported murder, calling Iran’s judicial system independent. Sharmahd’s family, who believe he was kidnapped by Iranian agents, demand proof of his death from German and U.S. authorities. This incident has led to diplomatic tensions, with Germany closing its Iranian consulates in protest. In a related development, Iran also issued death sentences for those involved in the assassination of a nuclear scientist.