“We are making every effort to bring the war in Iran to an end,” Merz told reporters at a press conference in Norway, when asked if Germany would try to establish direct talks with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers and cargo ships, Anadolia reports.
“We are doing everything we can diplomatically. We are using all diplomatic channels and we hope to find a way to end this war as soon as possible, because it does not benefit anyone and causes economic damage to many. It also harms us,” he said.
Merz spoke alongside his Norwegian and Canadian counterparts after they observed soldiers from NATO member states during Exercise Cold Response, a Norwegian-led winter military exercise taking place in northern Norway and Finland.
The German chancellor said the conflict already had immediate consequences for Euro-Atlantic security and energy supplies. He expressed serious concern over Iran’s retaliatory attacks affecting countries in the region that are not involved in the conflict, as well as allied states, calling it a dangerous escalation.
“We share the important goals of the United States and Israel. Iran must not pose a threat to Israel and its other neighbors. But with each day that this war drags on, more and more questions arise. One thing is becoming increasingly clear: We need a convincing plan for how this war can be ended,” he said.
He also warned of the danger of an uncontrolled spread of the conflict, stressing that Germany and its partners are against the spread of war in the region or the outbreak of a civil war in Iran.
“If the territorial integrity or statehood of Iran were to be violated, or if Iran was no longer economically viable, it would have serious consequences for us as well. That’s why we need a clear perspective for a peaceful order,” he concluded.
(Vijesti.ba)
