German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday, June 13th, urged Israel and Iran to avoid any “further escalation” after Israel launched a wave of strikes on the Islamic republic.
Both sides should refrain from steps that could “destabilise the entire region,” said Merz, adding that he had been briefed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the raids and had convened a meeting of Germany’s security cabinet.
Germany had for years been expressing concerns about Iran’s “advanced nuclear weapons programme,” Merz recalled.
“Germany stands ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons,” Merz said.
The chancellor also said authorities would step up security at Jewish and Israeli sites in Germany following the Israeli strikes.
As we reported, there has been an increase in antisemitic attacks in Germany since the October 7th pogroms, and most recently, Germany, in an unprecedented move, has openly criticised Israel over the Gaza war.
