German Chancellor Calls for Diplomatic Solutions Amid UAE Attacks

Chancellor Merz Addresses Recent Attacks

On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed strong condemnation of the recent assaults in the United Arab Emirates, urging Iran to pursue diplomatic negotiations. This statement was made during a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Berlin. Merz emphasized, “The military nuclear program must be permanently halted. Additionally, there should be no further assaults on Israel or our allies in the region. The recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in the UAE were condemned in the strongest terms last night.”

Prime Minister Montenegro echoed Merz’s concerns, labeling Iran’s ambition for military nuclear capabilities as “unacceptable.” He also criticized the disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the path of diplomacy and negotiation must be strictly adhered to in order to resolve the ongoing crisis. Montenegro stated, “Iran's actions regarding military nuclear capabilities are intolerable. The implications for international trade, particularly concerning navigability issues in the Strait of Hormuz, are completely unacceptable. Furthermore, the attacks on regional countries lack any justifiable rationale.”

Merz confirmed that Germany's first naval vessel is en route to the Eastern Mediterranean. He also noted that Berlin has been advocating for heightened sanctions against Tehran within the European Council if the Strait of Hormuz remains obstructed, especially following claims from the IRGC regarding increased control over regional ports.

Regarding US-Europe relations, the Chancellor remarked, “In these challenging times, Germany is adhering to a clear transatlantic direction. We are swiftly and decisively fulfilling the commitments made at the Hague Summit. This is not only in our own interest but also in the collective interest and from a place of deep conviction.”

Merz’s comments come amid considerable domestic pressure, as recent polls reveal significant public skepticism regarding his management of the ongoing energy crisis. Additionally, on Friday, the US confirmed the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany following President Trump's latest disagreements with Merz. This situation escalated after Merz claimed that Trump had been “humiliated” by Iranian negotiators, leading Trump to label Merz as “terrible” on issues of immigration, energy, and Ukraine.

(Written by Pratibha Rathi)