Germany urges 'Israel' to show restraint in war on Iran
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Germany's Chancellor Merz warns "Israel" to avoid escalation with Iran, while Berlin faces backlash over support for the Israeli war on Iran.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on June 11, 2025. (AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has privately urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint in the ongoing military confrontation with Iran, according to a German official cited by The Wall Street Journal. While reaffirming Berlin’s political support for "Israel", Merz emphasized the need to pursue diplomatic avenues to avoid a broader regional conflict.
A government source noted that although Germany has been vocal in backing "Israel", concerns are mounting in Berlin about the risk of other regional powers being pulled into a protracted war. Merz’s remarks came during a phone call with Netanyahu late Wednesday, amid intensifying military and political tensions across West Asia.
Diplomatic efforts in Geneva
European diplomatic efforts are underway, as the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are expected to meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday. The scheduled talks are set to address both the regional crisis and the Iranian nuclear program.
While Iran affirms that its nuclear activities remain strictly civilian, European officials have hinted at the need for further concessions from Tehran. No specific demands were made public, but Berlin has aligned itself closely with US and Israeli positions that portray Iran’s nuclear activities as a threat.
Read more: E3 offer Iran immediate nuclear talks while backing 'Israel'
Tehran condemns Berlin’s position
Meanwhile, Iran summoned the German ambassador in Tehran for the second time in the past couple of days. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned Merz’s remarks in support of the Israeli war on Iran as “irresponsible,” according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Tehran.
The backlash followed Merz’s controversial statement earlier this week, in which he claimed that “Israel is doing the dirty work on behalf of all of us.” That phrase, repeated in both German and international media, has provoked widespread criticism in Iran and raised questions about Germany’s role in the conflict.
Read more: Western hypocrisy: 'Israel' bombs Iran, Tehran told not to retaliate
Germany’s alignment with “Israel” and Washington
On Wednesday, Iranian officials had already protested to the German envoy over the same issue, describing Merz’s language as “offensive,” according to Reuters. The repetition of the summons reflects a sharp deterioration in Tehran-Berlin relations.
Merz has emerged as one of "Israel’s" most vocal European allies since the start of the confrontation. His framing of "Israel’s" military actions as a necessary burden shared by the West underscores Germany’s alignment with Washington and Tel Aviv.
Despite the absence of evidence from international nuclear watchdogs, Merz has continued to pressure Tehran for greater nuclear concessions.
Read more: Tehran summons Swiss, German envoys over hostile rhetoric
