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TEHRAN / BERLIN — In a rare instance of diplomatic alignment between Tehran and a major Western capital, Iranian officials on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, praised German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for his blunt condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign.
The exchange highlights a deepening “transatlantic rift” as the ceremonial head of the German state breaks from the pro-war stance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to label the conflict a breach of international law.
Steinmeier’s Rebuke: “A Politically Disastrous Mistake”
Speaking at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the German Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Steinmeier—a former Foreign Minister who helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal—issued his strongest criticism of the war to date.
Key Points from the President’s Speech:
- Breach of Law: Steinmeier stated unequivocally that the war is “in breach of international law,” arguing that the U.S. justification of an “imminent threat” from Iran “does not hold water.”
- Permanent Rupture: He compared the current tension with Washington to the 2022 break with Russia, stating, “There will be no going back to before January 20, 2025,” the date of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
- Avoidable Conflict: The President called the military campaign an “unnecessary war” that has failed in its primary goal of stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions, instead creating a “deep rift” in global trust.
“Our foreign policy does not become any more convincing simply because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law.” — Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany
Tehran’s Response: “Credit to Steinmeier”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quickly pivoted to Steinmeier’s comments to bolster Iran’s narrative of Western “double standards.”
- The “Double Standard” Argument: While Araghchi applauded Steinmeier, he maintained that “international law is dead in practice,” pointing to the contrast between Western outrage over Ukraine and “silence on Israel-U.S. aggression on Iran.”
- Call for Action: Araghchi urged other leaders who “value the rule of law” to follow Steinmeier’s lead and speak up against the “Operation Roaring Lion” campaign.
Domestic and International Fallout (March 25, 2026)
Steinmeier’s remarks have triggered a firestorm within Germany and among its allies:
| Party | Reaction |
| Chancellor Merz | Maintaining support for U.S.-Israeli goals; his government has distanced itself from Steinmeier’s “symbolic” role. |
| Deutsche Welle | The state-run broadcaster added a disclaimer to Steinmeier’s speech, noting it “does not represent government policy.” |
| German-Israeli Society | Labeled the comments “grossly inappropriate” and accused the President of a “smug know-it-all attitude.” |
| The White House | Has not officially responded, though Trump previously praised Merz for “helping out” with the war effort. |
What’s Next?
Steinmeier’s “rare public rebuke” comes at a critical moment for the Thursday, March 26 summit in Islamabad. While the German President holds no executive power, his words provide significant “moral cover” for other European and Global South nations hesitant to support the U.S. ultimatum.
If the “inner circle” diplomacy led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff fails to secure a deal by Friday, the internal pressure on the Merz government to reconcile with Steinmeier’s “principled” stance is likely to intensify as energy costs soar.
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