Berlin, Germany – In a statement, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of a potential escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, following Israel’s military strike on alleged nuclear facilities in Iran and a likely retaliatory attack.
Merz urged both sides to refrain from steps that could lead to further escalation and destabilize the entire region. Germany, he said, is prepared to use all available diplomatic means to influence the conflict parties, in close coordination with its partners, particularly within the E3 group, comprising France, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as with the United States.
The Chancellor emphasized that the goal remains to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Germany’s security cabinet has agreed to take all necessary precautions to protect German citizens in Israel, Iran and the region, he added. The country’s security authorities will also increase the protection of Jewish and Israeli institutions in Germany, as announced by Merz.
The Chancellor had earlier spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who informed him of the military actions and their objectives, following which a meeting of the German government’s security cabinet was convened.
The German government has repeatedly expressed its concern over the “far-advanced Iranian nuclear weapons program” for many years, Merz noted, citing a recent resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which Germany, along with France and the United Kingdom, had introduced. The resolution reiterated that Iran has not complied with its obligations to disclose its work on enriching nuclear material.
In response, Iran has threatened to accelerate its uranium enrichment program, which the Chancellor described as a serious threat to the entire region, particularly to the state of Israel. Merz reaffirmed that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.