Der Spiegel: Germany was notified ahead of Israeli strikes on Iran
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The German Chancellery declines to confirm whether it had been briefed in advance or not.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on June 11, 2025 (AP)
The German government was informed shortly before "Israel" launched its aggression on Iran, German news outlet Der Spiegel reported on Friday.
According to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at approximately 00:30 GMT to notify him of the operation, i.e., around three hours prior to the attack.
When contacted by Reuters, the German Chancellery declined to confirm whether it had been briefed in advance of the attack.
Merz maintains aggressor's right to 'self-defense'
Shortly after Der Spiegel's report, Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany’s position on "Israel’s" right to "self-defense".
“Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens,” he said, while calling on both sides to refrain from further escalation, without any mention of the repercussions of the Iarseli attack.
Merz noted that Germany is coordinating closely with its partners, particularly the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, emphasizing that the international community's shared goal remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Following a meeting of Germany’s security cabinet, the government announced that all necessary measures would be taken to protect German citizens. Security authorities have also been instructed to increase protection around Jewish and Israeli institutions across the country.
The statements come after a series of official statements condemning the Israeli attack on Iran.
'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran
"Israel" launched a major attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday, targeting residential buildings, nuclear facilities, and military infrastructure across Iran.
The Israeli occupation military confirmed the launch of a broad aerial offensive targeting Iran’s nuclear program. In an official statement, the occupation military said it carried out a “precise, preemptive strike” in Iran, “with the goal of damaging Iran’s nuclear program."
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Iran reported hearing multiple explosions in the capital, Tehran. Footage circulating on social media documents severe damage to a number of residential buildings in the Iranian capital.
The Israeli Air Force announced that it was striking dozens of sites across Iran, including facilities linked to its nuclear program and other military infrastructure, the military stated. It dubbed the operation “Rising Lion.”
Al Mayadeen confirmed that the Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, have been martyred during the Israeli aggression on Iran.
Later, Iranian media confirmed the martyrdom of the Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, and his son in the attack.
Meanwhile, the advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Republic, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, has been severely injured and has since been hospitalized. Additionally, six nuclear scientists, as well as other civilians, were confirmed killed in the Israeli aggression.
