German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Iran to resume negotiations, lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions, and cease attacks on Berlin’s regional partners. His comments were made on May 4 via the social media platform X.
“Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage: the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must end. Tehran should not acquire nuclear weapons. There must be no further threats or attacks against our partners,” Merz stated.
Merz also condemned recent drone and missile strikes by Iran targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), expressing solidarity with the UAE’s people and Berlin’s partners in the region.
Earlier, on April 11, trilateral talks involving the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, took place in Islamabad. Following these discussions, U.S. Vice President Vance announced that no agreement was reached on a lasting ceasefire due to differences over “two or three key issues,” according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
In response to the stalled negotiations, former President Trump declared on April 13 that the U.S. Navy would initiate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iran’s failure to agree to nuclear disarmament. He indicated that U.S. forces would intercept any vessels paying fees to Iran for passage through the strait.
Trump also warned Iran that if its military attacked U.S. naval vessels, American forces would retaliate decisively. Following this, on April 18, Iran announced it would restore “strict control” over the Strait in reaction to the U.S. blockade.
On April 20, Trump expressed skepticism about the likelihood of extending a two-week ceasefire with Iran unless an agreement was reached by the April 22 deadline.
Later, on April 21, Trump mentioned on Truth Social that he was postponing a planned strike on Iran at the request of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, citing the Iranian government’s internal divisions. He indicated that the ceasefire would remain in effect until a unified Iranian proposal was presented and negotiations concluded.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that Trump had unilaterally extended the ceasefire, while Iran rejected the U.S. conditions for talks. Prior reports from Iranian agency Tasnim indicated that Iran’s negotiating team would not attend the Islamabad talks, seeing no prospects for participation.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Iran to engage in diplomatic talks, end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and stop regional aggression. His statements follow a series of tensions involving U.S.-Iran negotiations and recent attacks on the UAE.