Berlin – After Iran’s overnight attack on Israel, German heads of state and government called for de-escalation and restraint on Sunday.
During a visit to China, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of further escalation. “It cannot continue like this,” said Scholz in Chongqing. “We will do everything we can to prevent further escalation.”
Scholz described the Iranian attack as “completely unjustified” and added that it was in no way acceptable, understandable or tolerable. “All we can do is to warn everyone, especially Iran, not to continue like this,” Scholz said.
He reiterated Germany’s solidarity with Israel, which has every right to self-defense since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 last year.
After chairing a crisis meeting in Berlin, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on all actors in the region to act prudently. “The escalation spiral must be broken. We must find an end to the violence together,” she said.
Iran had brought the region “to the brink of the abyss,” she said, condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms and assuring Israel of Germany’s full solidarity. Iran should avoid further attacks by its allies, she added.
Germany has asked its citizens to leave Iran.
Baerbock referred to the “millions of women, men and children in Israel, Iran and throughout the region who could not sleep last night because of fear.”
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog to assure him of German solidarity.
“The people of Israel had to shelter from Iranian drones and missiles for hours last night. We strongly condemn this attack,” Steinmeier, a former German foreign minister, told Herzog, according to a statement from his office.
He also expressed hope that escalation could be avoided.
The leaders spoke after Iran’s first direct attack on Israeli territory. An Israeli military spokesman said 99% of the approximately 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been intercepted by Israel and its allies, with damage minimal.
Iran’s “Operation Truthful Promise” was carried out in revenge for an airstrike on the grounds of its embassy in Damascus on April 1 that killed two generals and others. Israel is believed to have carried out the attack and has not denied responsibility.
It is still unclear whether Israel will respond to the Iranian attack.