In Riyadh, then Doha, German foreign minister calls for de-escalation

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is calling for a de-escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel on Saturday, as he reaches Qatar for talks after similar discussions in Saudi Arabia earlier in the day.

In Doha, Wadephul met his counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, in the region roiled by conflict.

Qatar is a critical mediator in attempts to end the war in Gaza and is a proponent of a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, which would see the two sides coexisting peacefully.

This is likely to be on the ministers’ agenda, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas both oppose a two-state solution.

Amid the latest conflict, now in its second day after Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear sites, top military figures and senior scientists, and Tehran’s response, the German minister called for calm.

Earlier, in Riyadh, Wadephul met with his counterpart Faisal bin Farhan and later said he was “in favour of de-escalating now and finding a way out of further military confrontation.”

“A further escalation of the situation would have incalculable consequences. That is why I would like to appeal to everyone: It is, as they often say, not too late,” he said.

“This region needs peace and not an escalation of military conflicts.”

He said Germany is working with its Israeli partners to this end, while being clear about its historical obligation towards Israel, he added.

The security and existence of the Israeli state is part of Germany’s core values, stressed the minister, who took office in May under the new coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Wadephul’s comments followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to provide military support to Israel in the event of retaliatory strikes by Iran, while ruling out any involvement in Israeli offensive actions.

The Gulf states of Saudi Arabia and Oman have strongly condemned Israel’s attacks.

Wadephul backs Gaza reconstruction plan

Despite the intensifying clashes between Israel and Iran, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip must not be overlooked, Wadephul said in Riyadh.

The Arab states’ plans for reconstruction and lasting security in the coastal region are worthy of support, according to Wadephul, while the need for a ceasefire in Gaza is “more urgent than ever.”

The plan presented by several Arab countries in March envisages Gaza’s reconstruction over five years at an estimated cost of around €50 billion ($57 billion).