Germany, China Back Iran-Israel Ceasefire Amid Escalating Tensions and Fragile Truce
As tensions persist across the Middle East, global powers are rallying behind calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, following waves of strikes and counterstrikes that have raised fears of a broader regional war.
On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed lawmakers in Berlin, declaring that “the moment has come” for a ceasefire in Gaza and across the wider conflict zones involving Iran and Israel. While reaffirming Berlin’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense, Merz also signaled growing concern over the humanitarian toll.
“Israel has a right to defend its existence and the safety of its citizens,” Merz said, but added that Germany “reserves the right to critically question what Israel wants to achieve in the Gaza Strip.”
He emphasized the need for “humane treatment of people in Gaza, especially women, children, and the elderly,” and said Germany would not support suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, despite pressure within the European Union over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Chancellor’s comments came amid renewed hopes for a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, with President Donald Trump announcing that both Israel and Iran had agreed in principle to a truce. However, hostilities have continued on both sides, undermining the fragile agreement.
Tensions flared on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, sparking retaliatory missile barrages from Tehran. The U.S. also struck Iranian nuclear sites, drawing widespread international condemnation, including from China.
In a parallel diplomatic push, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday affirmed Beijing’s support for Iran in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying China stands by Tehran’s efforts to secure “a genuine ceasefire.”
“China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and, on that basis, achieving a genuine ceasefire so that people can return to normal life,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
Beijing also condemned U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, saying such actions “seriously violate the purposes of the UN Charter and international law.” Wang reiterated China’s stance against military attacks on facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, the ceasefire remains fragile. On Tuesday, Israel accused Iran of violating the agreement after reportedly launching two missiles. Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened “a forceful response,” although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later said Israel had “refrained” from retaliatory strikes following direct talks with President Trump.
In a blunt message on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Israeli restraint, writing: “Do not drop those bombs,” while also expressing frustration with both Israel and Iran for violating the terms of the ceasefire.
The conflict’s roots trace back to the Hamas-led October 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,219 people dead, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 55,908 people, also largely civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
With regional tensions at a boiling point and the risk of further escalation, global actors are intensifying diplomatic efforts to hold the ceasefire and push for long-term stability.
