German Chancellor warns against Iran state collapse

"An endless war is not in our interest. The same applies to a collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil. Such scenarios could have far-reaching consequences for Europe, including for security, energy supply and migration."

"We do not want to see a Syrian scenario here. We want this state to be able to function on its own. And that is why I am appealing both in Washington and in all talks with the Israeli government to create the conditions for this country to be stabilised as quickly as possible."

"We naturally have a strong interest in this ourselves in order to avoid new waves of refugees from the region."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern that prolonged Middle East conflict and potential Iranian state collapse pose significant risks to Europe, including security threats, energy disruptions, and increased migration. While Germany shares U.S. and Israeli objectives regarding Iran's nuclear program and support for terrorism, Merz emphasized the importance of preserving Iranian sovereignty and state functionality to prevent regional chaos similar to Syria's collapse. He stated Germany and European allies are actively advocating for Iran's stabilization to prevent refugee crises. The UN refugee agency simultaneously declared the Middle East crisis a major humanitarian emergency, noting that recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran have already displaced large populations requiring safe passage.

Read at The Local Germany