Steinmeier joins Türkiye’s stance, calls Iran war illegal

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a scathing assessment of the US‑led war against Iran on Tuesday, declaring that the military campaign contravenes international legal norms. Speaking at the German Foreign Ministry, Steinmeier directly challenged the justifications provided by Washington, noting that even within American bureaucratic circles, the rationale of an imminent threat to the US is widely regarded as unfounded.

A deal abandoned for war

Steinmeier, who played a key role in brokering the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran during his tenure as foreign minister, expressed deep frustration over Washington’s decision to scrap the agreement in favor of military action. He argued that abandoning diplomacy in pursuit of a military solution was fundamentally misguided, particularly when the stated goal was to prevent Iran’s nuclear development.

A voice of reason in the West

“This war is a politically disastrous mistake,” Steinmeier said, adding that what troubles him most is the realization that the conflict is entirely avoidable. His remarks mark the most forceful public criticism of the war by a senior Western leader since hostilities began on February 28 with a joint US‑Israeli offensive. The conflict has since claimed thousands of lives and drawn in regional powers, destabilizing the Middle East.

Türkiye’s principled position

Ankara has consistently maintained a position aligned with Steinmeier’s assessment, emphasizing from the outset that the war lacks a legitimate basis under international law. Türkiye has actively pursued diplomatic channels to halt the fighting, engaging with all parties and advocating for a return to negotiations. As a key regional actor, Türkiye continues to call for restraint and warns that further escalation will only deepen the crisis with consequences far beyond the immediate conflict zone.