German leadership calls for de-escalation in Middle East amid rising tensions

Germany intensified its diplomatic efforts on Sunday as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned of a looming regional catastrophe in the Middle East, calling for immediate de-escalation and humanitarian access amid growing fears of a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call on Sunday morning with the Sultan of Oman, Sheikh Haitham bin Tariq, to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East. According to a spokesperson for the German government, both leaders emphasised the urgent need to prevent further expansion of the conflict and reaffirmed their joint commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means.

The call comes as tensions in the region continue to rise, prompting international concern over the potential for wider conflict.

In a related development, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, currently on a diplomatic tour in the region, issued a stark warning during an interview with Tagesschau on Saturday evening. He cautioned that the Middle East faces a “serious risk of full-scale escalation” and urged all parties involved to demonstrate the highest level of political responsibility to avoid further violence.

Wadephul stressed that Germany, alongside France and the United Kingdom, is prepared to engage in dialogue with Iran regarding its nuclear programme. “The situation in the region is highly volatile,” he said. “Further escalation would have unimaginable consequences. What this region needs is peace, not the intensification of military conflict.”

He further warned that unchecked conflict could engulf the region and pose direct risks to European stability and security.

Turning to the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Wadephul described conditions there as "unacceptable," highlighting the urgent need for aid. “Hunger, death, and suffering must come to an end,” he said, calling on the Israeli government to allow full and immediate access for humanitarian organisations. He underlined that this appeal reflects not only Germany’s stance but that of the broader international community.

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