German chancellor warns against Iran state collapse, uncontrolled migration

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the Middle East war must not lead to the collapse of the Iranian state, warning of the impact this would have on migration to Europe.

“An endless war is not in our interest. The same applies to a collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil,” he says in a statement.

“Such scenarios could have far-reaching consequences for Europe, including for security, energy supply and migration.”

He adds that “we share the goals of the United States and Israel regarding the Iranian nuclear and missile programme, Tehran’s threats against Israel, its support for terrorism and proxies.

“The Iranian people have the right to freely decide their own destiny.”

But Merz says a total collapse of the Iranian state would spread chaos, a point he also stressed, while speaking at a trade fair in Munich.

“We do not want to see a Syrian scenario here… We want this state to be able to function on its own,” he adds of Iran.

“And that is why I am appealing both in Washington and in all talks with the Israeli government to create the conditions for this country to be stabilised as quickly as possible.”

“We naturally have a strong interest in this ourselves in order to avoid new waves of refugees from the region.”