Berlin, March 1 – The German government has entered crisis mode following the recent escalation in the Middle East. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) held telephone consultations with heads of state and government on Saturday to discuss the military escalation. The Foreign Office issued travel warnings for numerous countries in the Middle East region. Germany was informed in advance about the attacks but is not militarily involved, according to the federal government.
German Government in Crisis Mode: Escalation in the Middle East
After the newly flared-up conflict in the Middle East, the German government convened a crisis team. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) consulted with heads of state and government on Saturday regarding the military escalation. The Foreign Office issued travel warnings for numerous countries in the Middle East region. According to the federal government, Germany was informed in advance about the attacks but is not militarily involved.
Merz, Starmer, and Macron Condemn Iranian Attacks
Chancellor Merz condemned the Iranian counter-attacks in a statement released jointly with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “We were not involved in the military strikes, but we are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region,” the statement read. The three politicians condemned Iran’s attacks on states in the region “in the strongest possible terms” and demanded: “Iran must cease its indiscriminate military strikes.”
No Demands on the USA and Israel
In a separate statement released on Saturday evening, the Chancellor reiterated these demands on Iran. The Chancellor made no demands on the USA and Israel, nor did he assess the actions of the two states in his statement. Merz also emphasized that his government held “the view that the Iranian people have the right to decide their own destiny.” The federal government also underlined “its commitment to the security of Israel.” The Chancellor called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis: “The federal government advocates resuming efforts for a negotiated solution,” he declared.
Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) warned that the attack on Iran could unleash a difficult-to-control dynamic in the region. “The disproportionate retaliatory strikes by the Iranian regime following the strikes by Israel and the USA are leading to a dangerous escalation of violence with currently unforeseeable consequences for security in the entire region,” Klingbeil explained.
Travel Warnings for Several Countries in the Region
The Foreign Office issued official travel warnings on Saturday for numerous countries in the region. The travel warnings apply to countries popular with German tourists, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar, as well as Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office also urged all Germans to leave Lebanon; this had already been the case for Iran.
Oil Prices Expected to Rise Due to Conflict
On Saturday morning, Israel and the USA launched massive airstrikes on Iran after weeks of threats. Iran retaliated with counter-attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region. Following the attack on Iran, petrol and diesel, as well as heating oil and natural gas, could become more expensive in Germany. “Wholesale prices for oil and gas are expected to rise significantly at the beginning of the new week,” said Steffen Bukold, head of the Hamburg consulting firm EnergyComment, to “Spiegel.” “This will subsequently also be noticeable for heating oil and at the petrol station.”
The German government remains in close consultation with international partners to de-escalate the situation and seek a diplomatic resolution. The long-term economic and geopolitical ramifications of this conflict are still unfolding, and vigilance remains paramount for regional and global stability.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/bundesregierung-nach-nahost-eskalation-im-krisenmodus,VCXqv2u
