German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, defended Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. He called it a “dirty job” that Israel is doing not just for itself, but “for the world.” He accused Iran’s “mullah regime” of having inflicted death and chaos across the Middle East.
Merz argued that while Israel has demonstrated its precision capabilities, it still lacks the firepower to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He emphasized that only the United States possesses the advanced weapon systems and intelligence to complete such a task—making American participation crucial.
Despite supporting the military action, Merz stressed that he would prefer diplomacy first. He urged Iran to return to negotiations and warned: “Further strikes would only be needed if they refuse talks.” He noted, however, that if Tehran continues its program, the destruction of its facilities remains on the table.
Merz described his conversation with President Donald Trump as “very thorough,” saying they discussed how to coordinate with allies and deter further escalation. He emphasized that Germany supports a measured response to constrain regional instability through collective Western resolve.
By endorsing Israel’s limited strike, Merz signaled Germany’s alignment with its Western allies in addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He concluded that while Israel’s role reflects a defensive posture, a larger operational scope can only be achieved with U.S. military leadership and shared intelligence.