German Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Armin Laschet, does not believe a successful negotiation can be achieved by the E3 foreign ministers in their upcoming meeting with Iranian representatives in Geneva. According to Laschet, the key to a breakthrough lies in Washington, not with the European diplomats.
Laschet, a member of the Christian Democratic Union, praised the initiative of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, along with his French and British counterparts, as a meaningful step. The German Chancellor’s recent tweet, stating that the meeting was coordinated with the Americans, could be a strategic move to convey to Iran that it is isolated in its position, Laschet suggested.
Despite the challenges, Laschet views the chances of a new agreement as promising. He believes the Iranian leadership may have underestimated the determination of the Israelis to stop the Iranian nuclear program and is now under pressure to negotiate. Additionally, there is a strong opposition within Iran against the Mullah regime, which could lead to a new agreement. If Iran continues to resist, the conflict could escalate for the country itself, Laschet warned.
The German politician emphasized that the regime can only be changed from within, citing the failures of external interventions in the past, such as in Iraq and Libya. While Laschet does not consider German military aid to Israel necessary, he believes that, in a political sense, Germany, like France and the United Kingdom, stands alongside Israel in its dispute with Iran.