Merz: We are ready to gradually ease sanctions on Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made statements to the press following the informal European Union (EU) Leaders' Summit hosted by the Republic of Cyprus. Merz noted that at the summit, where no official decisions were taken, they discussed support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, developments in the Middle East regarding the Iran conflict, and the energy crisis stemming from the war.

Stating that they also exchanged views on the latest situation in the Middle East at the EU summit, Merz said, "Negotiations between the US and Iran must resume. We are pushing for this; Iran is trying to gain time, so we must increase the pressure on Iran."

"Germany has proposed easing sanctions on Iran under 3 conditions"

Merz stated that they are ready to gradually ease sanctions if Iran is prepared for a comprehensive agreement, noting that there are three conditions for this. Merz listed the conditions as follows: "First, a quick and clear agreement must be reached for free maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Second, Iran's nuclear program must be definitively terminated, and finally, threats against Israel must cease. Iran must stop threatening Israel and its neighbors."

Regarding whether there was support for the proposal he brought to the EU summit, Merz commented, "This situation now depends largely on how the talks develop. Easing sanctions, at least in this way, could be part of the process we are currently in. No one objected to this. It was also suggested by others. This is, so to speak, part of the contribution we can make to move this process forward and hopefully lead to a lasting ceasefire. Anything that ends this conflict as soon as possible is good to me."

"Germany has 3 conditions for support in the Strait of Hormuz"

Reiterating that Germany is ready to contribute to the process of ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Merz said, "However, this is again subject to three conditions. First, the war must end. Second, there must be a legal basis and authorization from the German Bundestag. Finally, there must be a sustainable, political, and military overall concept to approach such a step and ultimately reach a consensus."

Reporting that they also discussed the energy supply crisis that emerged after the Iran conflict and its current effects on energy prices, Merz stated that the EU Council, the European Parliament (EP), and the European Commission have signed a roadmap to increase Europe's competitiveness.

EU leaders: "It is too early to discuss easing sanctions on Iran"

German Chancellor Merz's proposal at the EU summit to ease sanctions on Iran under certain conditions did not receive full acceptance from European leaders. EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who held a press conference after the summit, stated that it was still too early to discuss easing sanctions on Iran. Responding to a question about what they thought regarding the easing of sanctions on Iran if an agreement were reached between the US and Iran that included the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, von der Leyen said, "Iran continues to attack its neighbors and oppress its own people. Therefore, we believe that any easing of sanctions must be contingent upon the verification of a de-escalation of tensions."

Stating that the sanctions were adopted from the very beginning due to Iran's behavior, von der Leyen said, "We must not forget that 17,000 young people were killed in the first month of this year. Therefore, for us to be able to talk about lifting sanctions, the cause for them must be eliminated."

EU Council President Costa also responded to the same question by saying, "I completely agree, it is too early. We do not have a good experience with Iran."

Costa added, "We cannot ignore the nature of the regime, the violence it inflicts upon its own people, and the thousands of people it has killed very recently. For this reason, I think it is too early to talk about any easing of sanctions."