The key facts

  • Germany advocates continuing indirect US-Iran talks and believes there is no military solution to the conflict
  • Sanctions will remain until Tehran shows readiness to discuss freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and renunciation of nuclear weapons
  • In early December, Germany plans a meeting of the E4 (Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany) with Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Berlin: there is no military solution

Germany on Monday called for de-escalation and for the continuation of indirect talks between the United States and Iran in order to achieve a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. This was announced by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Paris, as quoted by Anadolu. «I emphasized here that I see no military solution to this problem,» he said after talks with his G7 counterparts and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Conditions for maintaining pressure

Wadephul called on Iran to demonstrate political will and take concrete steps toward a solution, while at the same time warning that Western countries would keep economic measures and sanctions in place to pressure Tehran. «We will not ease these measures in any way until we see substantial readiness on Iran's part to discuss critical issues,» the outlet quoted him as saying. Among such issues he named freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a credible renunciation of any nuclear weapons development program, and responsible behavior in the region that does not threaten the existence of other states.

The next meeting — in Germany

Berlin also announced the next round of diplomacy: in early December, Germany is set to host a meeting of the foreign ministers of the E4 countries — Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany — with four regional partners: Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. According to Wadephul, it will focus on de-escalating tensions and advancing diplomatic solutions. The material is based on a report by a single outlet; the reaction of Iran or other participants of the meeting is not given in the source.