Merz: ‘Iranian people have the right to decide their own destiny’

Germany did not take part in the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday, adding that Berlin remained committed to promoting peace and security in the Middle East.

However, the German leader said the developments were the result of unsuccessful US efforts to reach a nuclear agreement. ‘The US has been trying for weeks to reach a solution with Iran, but Iran has not agreed to a comprehensive, reliable, and verifiable agreement to end its military nuclear programme,’ he wrote in a statement.

Despite high levels of uranium enrichment, there were no indications that Tehran had shifted its nuclear programme from civilian to military purposes, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency on 12 June 2025.

‘Germany remains committed to promoting peace and security in the region and emphasises its commitment to Israel’s security. It believes that the Iranian people have the right to decide their own destiny,’ the chancellor added.

(reuters, sab)