Wadephul on Maischberger: Iran Regime a "Disaster for the Iranian People"
Authorities in Iran intensify hunt for Iranian citizens
German Foreign Minister Wadephul has felt the heat in his first few weeks on the job, as he takes on the challenging mission of mediating between Israel and Iran. On Friday, he will join forces with his UK and French counterparts to negotiate with the Iranian Foreign Minister about Iran's nuclear program.
On Sandra Maischberger's talk show, Wadephul was not shy about voicing his criticism of the Iranian regime. "This regime is a regime of injustice that oppresses its own people," he said. The grim statistics back him up – more than 900 executions have taken place in Iran this year alone. Regarding the prospect of regime change in Iran, Wadephul took a moderate stance: "It's not our place to dictate who rules in Iran. The Iranian people must decide for themselves."
As for Israel's intentions, Wadephul believes the Jewish state only wants to disarm Iran, not bring about a regime change. He emphasized that the Israelis have made their intentions clear to him.
When it comes to the US's involvement, Wadephul doesn't expect a direct intervention at present, citing statements made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, he believes the Americans are prepared to retaliate if provoked: "That's a clear signal to Iran: negotiate, or else."
Wadephul affirmed that Germany stands with Israel in this conflict, stating, "Israel has the right to defend itself, and if it deems Iran capable of annihilation with nuclear weapons, long-range rockets, and other means, then Israel is justified in its actions." However, he expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly as Israeli actions have largely blocked the Gaza Strip from receiving humanitarian aid.
Wadephul is one of a few Union politicians who also criticize Israel's actions in Gaza. Their primary concern lies in the mistreatment of civilians and the poor distribution of aid in the region. "Human lives are equal in the end," Wadephul stated, underscoring the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and compassion.
Germany bears a significant responsibility for Israel's security and existence, but that doesn't mean the country can shy away from criticizing its policies – especially when it comes to the treatment of civilians in Gaza, Wadephul said.
Insights: German Foreign Policy Towards Iran and Israel
- Germany, along with the UK and France (E3), played a crucial role in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal but has been sidelined in recent US-Iran negotiations. They hope for diplomatic progress but are cautious about pushing independently.
- Germany's overall foreign policy towards the Middle East tends to be reactive rather than proactive, with a focus on regional stability rather than direct intervention.
- Germany's stance towards Iran involves promoting diplomatic solutions like the JCPOA framework, rather than advocating for regime change. They may impose sanctions through the UN Security Council if negotiations fail, but they prefer cautious diplomatic negotiations.
- Current German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has expressed strong support for Israel in the Israel-Palestine conflict but has also faced criticism for not doing enough to address Palestinian suffering. She has made public statements condemning Iran's missile attacks on Iraqi territory and has been involved in efforts to stabilize the region, including peace talks involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, but there is no explicit mention of her stance on Iran's regime change or the Israel-Iran conflict specifically.
The Commission is also proposing to extend the deadline for the adoption of new rules regarding the Middle East, in light of the complex political landscape, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict and the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region. This extension would allow for continued general-news reporting and analysis of the ongoing negotiations and diplomatic efforts involving Iran and Israel, as well as the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which remains a prominent concern for both Germany and Israel.
