Berlin: Following the US strikes on Sunday morning, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for Iran to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. The German military has also conducted its first direct evacuation flights from Israel amidst escalating tensions.
According to Deutsche Welle, the German government convened its security council following the US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran overnight. Chancellor Merz emphasized the importance of diplomatic engagement, urging Iran to come to the negotiating table with the US and Israel to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Reactions from German politicians were varied. Jrgen Hardt, deputy parliamentary leader of the ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), noted that the US strike was anticipated due to Iran's refusal to engage with European negotiation offers. Meanwhile, Rolf Mtzenich, known for his role in the "SPD Manifest," continues to advocate for diplomatic solutions over military actions.
The German government has been proactive in evacuating its citizens from the region. On Saturday, more Germans were evacuated from Jordan, given the closure of Israeli airspace since the conflict's onset over a week ago. The Foreign Ministry in Berlin reported that 123 Germans left on a charter flight from Jordan, with a total of 345 evacuees reaching Germany in recent days via flights landing in Frankfurt am Main.
In a significant development, the German military successfully evacuated German citizens directly from Israel for the first time since the conflict began. This operation involved two aircraft, following challenging negotiations with Israeli authorities. The flights prioritized families with children and vulnerable individuals, landing at Cologne/Bonn Airport with 64 people on board. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius commended the military for their swift and professional response.
Despite the evacuations, a substantial number of Germans remain in Israel, many using the embassy's registration list as a precautionary measure rather than an immediate evacuation request. Approximately 4,300 Germans are registered in Israel, while around 1,000 are in Iran.
Before the US attacks, the German government had already relocated embassy personnel from Tehran, maintaining mobile operations within the country. The decision aligns with similar actions by international partners, including Britain and Switzerland, who have closed their embassies in Iran.
Germany has not arranged flights for Germans in Iran, citing open border crossings to Turkey and Armenia as alternatives, despite the heightened risks following US involvement. The German government has also dismissed the idea of organizing convoys due to the dangers posed by ongoing airstrikes and potential road risks.