Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) made clear on Sunday that Germany stands firmly with its allies after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran. “The federal government leaves no doubt about our position toward the Iranian regime” he said at the Chancellery. He described the Mullah system as a terrorist regime responsible for decades of oppression of the Iranian people. During the New Year’s demonstrations alone, thousands were killed. He added that the regime threatens Israel’s very existence and is responsible for the terrorism carried out by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Merz said the German government shares the relief felt by many Iranians that this regime is “coming to an end”. Together with the United States and Israel, Germany wants the regime’s terror to stop and its dangerous nuclear and ballistic arms buildup to be halted. The airstrikes are intended to end the “destructive game of a weakened regime” but Merz warned that this comes with risk. The scale of retaliatory measures remains unclear. He urged the Iranian leadership to stop the “random attacks” immediately.
The chancellor added that it is uncertain whether external military strikes can bring about a political change from within Iran. The internal dynamics of the country are difficult to discern, and Germany will draw sober conclusions from this action about its own conduct. He said that international legal definitions will have little effect if they largely go unanswered. Appeals from Europe, including Germany, for the condemnation of Iranian violations of the law and for comprehensive sanctions have proved largely ineffective over the years. Merz pointed out that this partly reflects a lack of willingness to enforce fundamental interests, if necessary, with military force. “Now is not the moment to lecture our partners and allies” he said.
