German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has expressed hope that Israel and Iran can still return to the path of diplomacy despite ongoing heavy airstrikes between the two long-standing adversaries.
“It’s now important that there is a return to negotiations,” Steinmeier said during his visit to Tokyo on Wednesday.
He emphasised that this possibility hinges on the prevention of further escalation in the region.
“This prospect presupposes that there will be no further escalation in the Middle East, that the conflict between Israel and Iran does not turn into a conflagration for the entire region,” he said.
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The German president added that avoiding a broader regional war could create space for dialogue to resume.
“If a wider regional conflict can be prevented, then I believe there is still a chance of finding a way back to negotiations,” Steinmeier stated.
Steinmeier, whose role is mostly ceremonial, arrived in Japan earlier in the day for a three-day visit, where he held talks with Emperor Naruhito.
Israel launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran on Friday, targeting defence facilities, nuclear sites, and oil and gas infrastructure. The strikes are reportedly aimed at damaging Iran’s nuclear capabilities amid growing concerns that Tehran may be developing a nuclear weapon.
However, intensified attacks on non-military locations have raised suspicions that Israel’s objectives may go beyond halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, potentially seeking to destabilise the Iranian government.
According to official figures, hundreds of people including high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians were killed in the Israeli strikes a week ago.
In retaliation, Iran launched attacks that, as of Wednesday, have killed 24 people and injured over 800 in Israel, according to Israeli authorities.
