[By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran] On June 23 local time, German Chancellor Merkel made a statement at an event organized by the German Industry Association (BDI), claiming that given evidence indicating Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, she has no reason to criticize the attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. "The evidence that Iran is continuously advancing its nuclear weapons development is undeniable."
"We have no reason to criticize Israel's actions that began in Iran a week ago, nor do we have any reason to criticize what the United States did there last weekend," later that evening, Merkel reiterated her remarks at the event on the social media platform X: "This is not without risks, but maintaining the status quo is also not an option."
According to The Times of Israel, on the same day, Merkel referred to Iran as a "terrorist regime" in her speech, citing the fact that Iran funds terrorist organizations seeking to destroy Israel. She claimed, "For decades, Israel has been attacked by Iran, including through funding Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi militias, and armed groups in many other parts of the world."
Merkel also claimed that the US air strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities were justified, as there was evidence that Iran "was continuing to advance the process of manufacturing nuclear weapons," "no one needs a facility 100 meters underground for peaceful uranium enrichment."
On June 23 local time, German Chancellor Merkel delivered a speech. The Times of Israel
In recent days, as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated, Merkel had previously expressed strong support for Israel's attack on Iran.
"This is the dirty work that Israel is doing for all of us," Merkel said on June 17 local time during an interview with German TV channel ZDF while attending the G7 summit in Canada, "I can only say that the Israeli army and Israeli leadership have the courage to do this, and I have great respect for them," "otherwise, we would witness this regime's terror rule for months or even years - and possibly even with nuclear weapons."
The Israel Hayom analyzed that Merkel's comments at the time indicated that after Germany recently criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza, Germany once again fully supported Israel.
On June 23 local time, while Merkel made her latest statements, French President Macron stated that the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities lacked a "legal framework," "although France's goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
"I believe in people's sovereignty and territorial integrity... so I don't think we can replace the people's leaders," Macron said during a press conference in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg, responding to journalists.
On June 22 local time, after the US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, UK Prime Minister Starmer stated that a nuclear-armed Iran is the "greatest threat" to regional stability, while urging all parties to ease tensions.
"For a long time, we have been concerned about Iran's nuclear program, and we are very clear that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," Starmer said in a video posted on X: "The US has now taken action to reduce this threat. It is important that we now ease the situation, stabilize the region, and get all parties back to the negotiating table for talks."
On the same day as Starmer's statement, Macron also warned about the possibility of "uncontrolled escalation" in the Middle East, but did not directly criticize the military strike actions of the US and Israel.
The Times of Israel reported that as these European leaders made the above statements, Spain's Foreign Minister Alvarez called on the EU to immediately suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement on June 23 local time, citing concerns about human rights violations in Gaza. Alvarez also called for an arms embargo on Israel and sanctions against individuals who undermine the two-state solution. Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani opposed suspending the agreement and called for the EU to maintain its relationship with Israel.
On June 23 local time, US President Trump said on social media that a "completely thorough" ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran would take effect, involving two 12-hour ceasefires, with Iran initiating the first 12-hour ceasefire, followed by Israel's second 12-hour ceasefire, and the war would be officially declared over 24 hours later.
"During the ceasefire, both sides must maintain peace and respect. Assuming everything proceeds as planned (and it certainly will), I want to congratulate Israel and Iran for ending a war that could have lasted years and destroyed the entire Middle East! This did not happen and will never happen!" Trump wrote.
According to Reuters, on June 24 local time, after Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire, an Iranian official confirmed that Iran had agreed to the ceasefire. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated on social media on the 24th that as of now, there had been no "agreement" between Israel and Iran on a ceasefire or a halt to military actions. The final decision on ceasing military actions would be made later.
An Iranian official familiar with the negotiations told Reuters on June 24 that Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad facilitated Iran's agreement to the ceasefire, and Trump had informed the Emir of Qatar, Tamim, that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire.
A senior White House official stated that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire, provided that Iran would not launch further attacks, and that Trump had brokered the agreement during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
According to The New York Times, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment on Trump's statement regarding the ceasefire.
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