Middle East Tensions Escalate: Israel's President Praises Merz's "Dirty Work" Comment
Israeli President commends Merz for performing "grim tasks"
Israel's President Jitzchak Herzog commends German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for his bold stance, applauding his "moral clarity" and "clear voice" for speaking the truth. According to Herzog's statement to Bild, Israel is defending Europe and the United States, referring to Merz's comment that Israel is doing the "dirty work" for the West with its military strikes against Iran.
Early Developments
SPD politician Wiese issues a cautionary note, stating that Merz's "dirty work" comment should not be given a free pass.
Updates at 21:31 CEST
Israel's President Isaac Herzog clarifies that the war with Iran is not aimed at killing Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Chamenei. Despite this, he did not rule out the possibility that this could be a side effect with significant historical consequences that would benefit the Iranian people.
Updates at 21:11 CEST
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that Israel can reach all of Iran's nuclear facilities. When asked if a successful attack on the essential underground nuclear facility at Fordo was possible without U.S. help, Netanyahu did not provide further details.
Updates at 20:55 CEST
Franks Umbach, a security expert, suggests that Iran utilizes negotiations to gain time, despite the lack of progress in halting its nuclear program through diplomacy in recent years.
Further Developments
Updates at 20:42 CEST
Israel reports fresh attacks on Tehran. The air defense was activated, and a video from the state agency Tehran shows the dull rumble of air defense, although details about the targets were not immediately available. A journalist from the French international broadcaster France 24 confirmed the attack wave.
Updates at 20:31 CEST
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his belief that regime change in Iran must come from the people, not as an immediate goal of Israel's war against Iran's arch-enemy, but a potential outcome of the war.
Updates at 20:15 CEST
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claims that Israel has already hit about half of all Iranian rocket launch sites. The military is "ahead of schedule" in achieving their targets.
Political Implications
Updates at 19:59 CEST
U.S. President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the U.S. will intervene in the war against Iran alongside Israel, potentially setting the stage for a significant shift in the conflict.
Updates at 19:34 CEST
There seems to be a plan ready for Donald Trump to intervene in the Iran conflict, which could be activated within days, according to a report. The U.S. president wants to provide Tehran some room to maneuver but has "set the bar extremely high."
Updates at 19:17 CEST
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advises Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act cautiously and with restraint in Iran while affirming Germany's staunch support for Israel's military actions, such as its strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Updates at 18:38 CEST
New attacks are reported on Iran, with Israel using a type of rocket that presents a challenge to its forces. Defense Minister Katz defines a new war objective, emphasizing the necessity to address Iran's dual rockets to counter potential future threats.
Updates at 18:21 CEST
A special flight carrying German Israel returnees lands safely in Berlin, marking the second such flight to take stranded travelers out of the region amid heightened tensions.
Updates at 18:04 CEST
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani reviews Iraq's preparedness for potential nuclear emergencies amid growing tensions in the region. The assessment includes a discussion of existing precautions and procedures in case of an emergency and the potential impact of a possible incident at Iranian nuclear facilities on Iraq.
Updates at 17:48 CEST
The German Foreign Office advises families of diplomats stationed at German missions abroad to leave in light of the security situation arising from the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Additional Context
The current military conflict between Israel and Iran, marked by an intense Israeli air campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, has resulted in significant casualties and escalating rhetoric since June 12, 2025. Israeli strikes have focused on key facilities, including the Sanjarian site in Tehran Province, which was pivotal to Iran’s historic nuclear weapons program, causing "complete destruction" of several buildings according to former UN weapons inspector David Albright. Despite the intensified conflict, Iranian officials have expressed some interest in negotiating an end to hostilities but have not moderated their pre-existing negotiating positions, indicating a stalemate on the diplomatic front. Regional actors like Turkey urge de-escalation to prevent a broader war.
Politicians should consider the potential consequences of verbal support for Israel's military actions, as statements like "dirty work" could influence public perception about peace and security in the Middle East. The heated political cooperation between Germany and Israel, in light of the ongoing tensions with Iran, may have far-reaching implications for peace and security in the region.
