ISLAMABAD: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are prepared to begin immediate negotiations with Iran aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during a televised interview on Saturday, Wadephul emphasized the urgent need for diplomacy amid the ongoing military exchanges between Israel and Iran.
He said the three European powers are ready to engage Tehran over its nuclear programme, which remains at the core of the conflict.
“I hope that’s still possible,” Wadephul told Germany’s ARD broadcaster, adding that past opportunities for constructive talks were missed by Iran.
“This is also a key prerequisite for pacifying this conflict—ensuring that Iran presents no threat to the region, to Israel, or to Europe,” he stated.
Call for Immediate De-escalation
Wadephul is currently on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East, including a stop in Oman, a key hub for backchannel negotiations.
He stressed that lasting peace will only be possible if both Iran and Israel come under coordinated international pressure.
“There’s a shared expectation that within the next week, both sides must make a serious attempt to interrupt this spiral of violence,” he said.
When asked whether regime change in Iran was likely or intended, Wadephul responded that it did not appear to be Israel’s objective.
He reiterated that preventing a wider regional war is the top priority.
Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza
Addressing the dire conditions in Gaza, Wadephul urged Israel to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid groups.
He called the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for immediate international response.
“The hunger, the dying, the suffering of the people in Gaza must come to an end,” he said.
Wadephul placed blame for the outbreak of the conflict on Hamas, and reiterated that the militant group must release all hostages taken during the October 2023 raids on Israel.
