German, Turkiye leaders slam US-Israeli war on Iran as breach of intl law, ‘Netanyahu’s war’

• Steinmeier calls campaign a disastrous mistake and an avoidable, unnecessary war

• Draws stark parallel with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, saying trust in US power politics eroded among allies worldwide

• Turkiye’s President says world is paying the price for Netanyahu’s survival battle

• Says Ankara navigating Middle East conflict cautiously and prudently while upholding brotherly and neighbourly relations

 BERLIN/ANKARA: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday warned of a “deep rift” with traditional ally the United States, calling the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran a “breach of international law,” while Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized the conflict as Israel’s war, stating, “The past 25 days have shown that it is [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s war for survival, but eight billion people are bearing the cost.”

In unusually strong remarks, Steinmeier drew a parallel between the current Middle East crisis and Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, saying: “Just as there was no going back from Ukraine, there will be no going back to before January 20, 2025, when US President Donald Trump assumed office for a second term.”

“The rift is too deep, and trust in American power politics has been lost—not only among our allies but worldwide,” he added during an event marking the 75th anniversary of the German Foreign Ministry.

Although Steinmeier’s role is largely ceremonial, his words carry weight in Germany, which has not officially condemned the war against Iran.

Steinmeier, a former foreign minister, said: “Our foreign policy does not become any more convincing simply because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law.”

He stressed that the US-Israel war on Iran was, “in my view, in breach of international law”. “There is little doubt that, in any case, the justification of an imminent attack on the US does not hold water,” he added.

Germany’s head of government, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has harshly criticised Iran’s leadership and backed several key US-Israeli war goals, but also stated that, had Berlin been consulted in advance, it “would have advised against” the war.

Merz has repeatedly said Germany shares “the objective that Iran should no longer pose a threat in future”, while also making clear Germany would not enter the conflict.

Steinmeier called the military campaign “a politically disastrous mistake” and “a truly avoidable, unnecessary war”. “Realism means we must be pragmatic in our dealings with this US administration and focus on our core interests,” he said. “But realism also means we must not compromise our own principles.

“The US government has a different worldview from ours, one that shows no regard for established rules, partnership or hard-won trust. We cannot change that. We must deal with it. But this is my conviction: we have no reason to align ourselves with this worldview.”

 Turkiye navigating Mideast conflict cautiously, prudently: Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkiye navigated the Middle East conflict cautiously and prudently while upholding brotherly and neighbourly relations.

“We are not falling into traps set for us,” Erdogan said in a speech following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, stressing that Turkiye was “determined to steer clear of the ring of fire”.

"The past 25 days have shown that while this is Israel’s war, the world is paying the price; it is [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s war for survival, but eight billion people are bearing the cost,” he said.

“The massacre network led by Netanyahu must be stopped immediately,” for the sake of regional peace and humanity, said Erdogan, stressing that every country must take a bold and proactive stance.

“Israel’s uncompromising, maximalist, and radical stance must not be allowed to undermine diplomatic solutions,” he said.

The US and Israel have carried out an air offensive on Iran since February 28, so far killing over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting global markets and aviation.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a five-day halt to strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing what he described as “very good and productive” talks with Tehran over the weekend.

Iranian officials rejected claims of talks, calling them "fake news," while its Foreign Ministry admitted receiving messages from “friendly countries” that it said indicated US requests for talks.