Germany says it will act in Middle East only ‘once the guns fall silent’

Friday, 20 March 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Germany’s Chancellor says Berlin will not intervene in the Middle East while the US-Israel war on Iran continues.

Speaking in Brussels, Friedrich Merz said Germany’s role would depend on a halt in hostilities.

“We can and will only be able to get involved once the guns fall silent,” Merz told reporters.

“We can do a great deal, including opening up the sea lanes and keeping them clear,” he said. “But we don’t do that while hostilities are ongoing. We’ll only do that once hostilities have ended.”

Trump has lashed out at European countries, saying they have failed to help the US manage the fallout from a war many EU countries consider illegal.