The German president sharply criticized the U.S. war against Iran

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has sharply criticized the U.S. military operation in Iran, calling it illegal and unnecessary. 

Steinmeier’s remarks were quoted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

During a speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 24, 2026, he emphasized that Washington’s justifications regarding the inevitability of an attack on the U.S. are unfounded. The president noted that similar doubts exist even within U.S. intelligence agencies, and the lack of a clear legal basis makes this war a direct violation of international humanitarian law.

Steinmeier also criticized the position of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, calling on German leadership to take a more critical view of U.S. actions in the Middle East. According to the president, Germany’s foreign policy loses its credibility if it refuses to directly call violations of international law by their proper names. He distanced himself from the current government’s restrained rhetoric, emphasizing the need to defend legal principles regardless of who violates them.

The German leader paid particular attention to the deep crisis in transatlantic relations following Donald Trump’s return to power. Steinmeier compared the rift between Europe and the U.S. to the changes that occurred in relations with Russia after February 24, 2022. According to him, trust in U.S. policy has been undermined worldwide, and a return to the former state of alliance following the events of January 2025 is impossible due to the profound loss of mutual understanding.

More than twenty countries have declared their readiness to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s recent attacks on merchant ships and civilian infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. Among these countries are European nations, as well as the UAE and Bahrain.

Additionally, the U.S. announced a strike on Iran’s surveillance systems. 

Trump got a fuel crisis instead of a quick war.

Iran’s readiness for escalation is its main weapon in the war — The Guardian.