Escalation in the Middle East: War in Middle East: Merz urges Iran to negotiate

After the United States attacks, the Federal Government warns Iranian nuclear facilities of further escalation in the Middle East. Together with the French President Emmanuel Macron and the British Prime Minister Keir Strander, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to return to the negotiating table. Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul demanded that Tehran had to record direct talks with the United States. However, Iran strictly rejects further conversations.

After the nightly attacks by the United States, the Chancellor initially discussed the situation in the morning with the responsible ministers in the security cabinet. After that, he advised himself several times with the European partners. In the evening, the joint explanation of Merz, Macron and Starmer was published, which, according to the Federal Government, was passed on the initiative of the Chancellor.

In it, the three heads of government confirm their commitment to peace and stability for all countries in the region and their support for the security of Israel. It has always been clearly expressed that Iran should never get nuclear weapons. From Iran, no more threats should arise for regional security.

“We ask Iran to take negotiations on an agreement that clears up all concerns about his nuclear program. We are ready to contribute to this goal in coordination with all sides,” the explanation says. “We urgently call on Iran not to take any further measures that could destabilize the region.” Merz, Macron and Strandmer announced that the common diplomatic efforts continue.

Trump ignored the latest mediation efforts by Europeans

On Friday, Germany, France and Great Britain had tried to diplomacy. In Geneva, the Foreign Minister came together with their Iranian colleague Abbas Araghtschi to explore whether Tehran was ready to give in to his nuclear program and to avoid nuclear weapons. The EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas also took part in the talks.

The European chief diplomats then announced that they wanted to continue the negotiations. However, US President Donald Trump made it clear a short time later that he considers the European mediation efforts to be effective.

WadePhul: “There must be a negotiating solution”

Foreign Minister WadePhul (CDU) still sees a window for diplomacy. “Everyone knows: there must be a negotiating solution,” he said. Germany and its European allies wanted to support this process. The enrichment of uranium that Iran had had “went far beyond any sensible civilian use”. Iran has thus exceeded “red borders”.

Chancellor Minister Thorsten Frei (CDU) told the ARD main city studio: “We are trying to use any possibility of diplomacy in order to come to a solution to the conflict here.”

Left criticizes the US attacks as violating international law

Other German politicians, on the other hand, expressed significant criticism of the USA. For example, former SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich in the “Tagesspiegel” emphasized the risk of further wars and destabilization in the region.

The Green Group Vice Agnieszka Brugger asked the United States to demonstrate the legitimation for its approach. “Military missions in relation to nuclear systems are particularly dangerous and not covered by international law,” said Brugger.

The left-wing chairman Jan van Aken criticized the US attacks as contrary to international law. Only negotiations could prevent an Iranian atomic bomb, said van Aken. All pages should now de -escalate and refrain from further attacks. “If the West itself violates international law, it will be all the more difficult to win Global support for Ukraine and the fight against international law injuries Putin,” warned van Aken. “For Putin it was again a good day today.”