The SPD stated that it will not rule out legally reviewing the use of the US base in Ramstein should US President Donald Trump actually order the bombardment of civilian targets in Iran, such as power plants or bridges. The SPD’s foreign policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, Adis Ahmetovic, told the “Handelsblatt” (Wednesday edition) that if such attacks occurred and Trump was thereby “recklessly accepting war crimes” these attacks “would also be clearly deemed illegal by the federal government and the EU”. Ahmetovic further noted that the conflict with Iran, ongoing since February 28th, is considered unlawful under international law from the perspective of the SPD and numerous international law experts. He added that if the German government also reaches this conclusion, it will be necessary to examine to what extent and under what legal framework the use of German sites like Ramstein is permissible-including through judicial means if necessary.
Rasmus Andresen (Greens), the Member of the European Parliament, also called for consequences should the war continue to escalate. While Andresen told the “Handelsblatt” (Wednesday edition) that Germany has no security interest in greater tensions with the United States, he warned, “However, should Trump continue to provoke trouble, we must be prepared to question the rationale for the US military presence in Germany”.