German Chancellor Friedrich Merz raised Iran’s activities in the region and the conflict’s repercussions for Iraq during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Berlin.
Merz called on Tehran to halt its destabilizing activities in the region, stop further extending the conflict into Iraq through its proxies and end its support for proxy forces in the region.
Merz said the regional effects of the war between the United States and Iran were also discussed, and called on Iran to end the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and halt its military nuclear program.
Merz said Germany supported the Iraqi government’s initiative to disarm Iran-backed militias and stated that Berlin stood by efforts to restore peace and security in Iraq.
Accusations against the Houthis in the Red Sea
Developments in the Red Sea were also discussed during the meeting. Merz said the Houthis had expanded their area of control along Yemen’s coast and captured Mayyun Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Merz said the Houthis controlled strategic points around Bab el-Mandeb and had attacked energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, adding that these developments had further complicated conditions in international energy markets.
Merz said the international community could not allow the Houthis to hold maritime traffic in the Red Sea hostage. He announced that Germany was consulting with the European Union and its partners in the region to help bring the conflict to an end.
Military mission in Iraq to end on September 30
Asked about the future of Germany’s military advisory and training mission in Iraq, Merz said the mission would end on September 30 at Iraq’s request.
He said Berlin was ready to continue military cooperation in different forms if requested by the Iraqi government and to support discussions on future engagement options.
