Merz: Washington did not consult us before the attacks on Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz briefed members of the German Bundestag ahead of the European Union (EU) Council meeting to be held on March 19-20, outlining the topics to be discussed at the summit. Beginning his speech with an emphasis on democracy and freedom, as March 18—a significant date in German history—was celebrated as "Democracy History Day" for the first time, Chancellor Merz made notable remarks regarding foreign policy. Addressing the war in Iran, Chancellor Merz argued that the Tehran administration has been breaking rules for years, dragging the world into chaos and causing concern by destabilizing its neighbors.

Merz stated, "The regime in Iran bears responsibility for the crisis in the region. Germany shares the goal with Israel and the US that Iran should not pose a threat to either Israel or its neighboring countries in the region in the future. The times when the Iranian regime could destabilize and threaten other countries must be left behind. We hope that the Iranian people can take their future into their own hands and establish a legitimate government through democratic elections."

"The Washington administration did not consult us before the attacks on Iran"

Stating that new questions arise as the war in Iran continues, Merz said, "To this day, there is still no convincing plan as to how this operation could be successful. The Washington administration did not consult us before the attacks on Iran and did not deem Europe's assistance necessary. Had they consulted us, we would not have recommended it."

"We will not participate in a military operation in the Strait of Hormuz"

Merz said, "As long as the war continues, we will not participate in a military operation to ensure the free passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. There is no plan for this as of now. There is also no request or mandate from the United Nations (UN), the EU, or NATO. This certainly does not exclude us from striving for a swift end to the war through diplomatic means."

Emphasizing that Germany will contribute to establishing a peace order in the region after the conflicts end, Merz stated, "If conditions are favorable, we are ready for this. We will not close our doors to a discussion on free maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends. However, we always want to ensure the best possible solidarity with our European neighbors."

Merz's response to Trump's criticism of countries that do not send troops to the region

Merz responded to the reaction from US President Donald Trump toward countries, including Germany, that gave a negative response to his call for military protection of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The German Chancellor said, "We do not want this war to become a burden on the transatlantic partnership because we want this partnership. We need it, and that is why we are talking at every level. We are seeking a transatlantic consensus. We share the important goals of the US, but we will not hesitate to tell our partners honestly where we have different views and that we have other interests. Such a partnership must be able to handle this; otherwise, it is not a partnership."

Merz stated, "We stand by our partners in the region, including the Gulf countries, which Iran is trying to drag into this war ruthlessly and cruelly."

"The situation in Iran resembles what happened in Libya and Iraq"

Stating that the EU has an interest in the war in Iran ending as soon as possible, preventing further tension in the region, and ensuring that Iran's state structure does not collapse, Merz emphasized that military interventions have not ensured the expected change in countries. Merz said, "The situation we see today resembles the scenario we experienced in Libya, Iraq, or other countries in the region. This situation will also cause us great harm. Furthermore, our security will be seriously endangered. This will have negative effects on our energy supply and will likely trigger large migration movements."

Noting that stability is needed in the Middle East, Merz said, "We must achieve a regional peace and security where neither Israel nor other partners are under threat, and where Tehran abandons its nuclear ambitions and the terror it spreads to the whole world. We need stability in the Middle East. We will contribute to this following a peace agreement. Ultimately, negative developments in the energy market show how urgent this task is. We do not have time. This war harms all of us, including the US. No one can afford these economic upheavals that we are feeling more and more these days."

"We cannot draw the curtains and wait for the storm outside to pass"

Drawing attention to the risks surrounding the world, especially the Iran war, and emphasizing that these will not pass without affecting Germany, Merz called, "We must shoulder these risks together. We should not act as if we can draw the curtains and wait for the storm outside to pass. We want to protect ourselves from these shocks that affect us all, and we will. Therefore, together with our European partners, we must have the courage to define and pursue our own interests in a way that is both clear and distinct. We must face crises. We must fight them and work together to emerge from these crises even stronger."

"The US and Europe must increase pressure on Russia"

Making assessments regarding the Russia-Ukraine War, Chancellor Merz said that Europe should also participate in the talks held between the US, Russia, and Ukraine. Merz stated, "It is unacceptable for the talks to be conducted between Russia and the US without the Europeans. We must increase the pressure on Moscow, and our US and European partners must do this together. As the EU, we must now quickly reach an agreement on the 20th sanctions package and urgently release the previously agreed-upon 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine."

Stating that Hungary, which opposes both issues, is showing resistance in this regard, Merz used the expression, "We should not show privilege to a single country."

"Europe must also be at the table in Ukraine talks"

Merz said, "We have reliable information that the Russian economy is suffering greatly from this war and our sanctions. This is a lever that the EU and the US must continue to use. If a lasting peace order is established in Ukraine, the US will rightly expect a contribution from the Europeans. However, the prerequisite for this is, of course, that we are at the table from the very beginning in negotiations, such as the security guarantees to be provided for Ukraine."

Pointing out that the issue of a just peace in Ukraine remains a matter of security, freedom, and peace for the entire transatlantic area, Merz said, "This is not only about the territorial integrity of a large European country but also about humanity and justice. Ukraine has long been ready for peace talks. Russia, on the other hand, has systematically undermined all peace efforts to date."