The Iran war is a “disastrous mistake” that violates international law, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday in a notably blunt criticism of US president Donald Trump’s foreign policy, which he described as a turning point in Germany’s relationship with its most important post-war ally, reports Breaking News.
In a strongly worded rebuke, Steinmeier—whose largely ceremonial position allows him greater freedom of expression—adopted a more critical stance than Friedrich Merz, who has avoided addressing the legality of the conflict directly, reports Breaking News.
“Our foreign policy does not become more convincing just because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law,” Steinmeier, a former foreign minister from the centre-left Social Democratic Party, said in a speech at the foreign ministry.
“We must address this with regard to the war in Iran. For, in my view, this war is contrary to international law,” he said, adding he had little doubt that the justification of the imminent nature of an attack on US targets did not hold water, reports Breaking News.
Calling the war unnecessary and a “politically disastrous mistake”, Steinmeier said Trump’s second term marked a rupture in German foreign relations as profound as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia to before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations to before January 20, 2025,” said Steinmeier, reports Breaking News.
He said Germany must apply lessons learned from reducing “excessive dependencies” on Russia and extend them to the US, particularly in areas such as defence and technology, which he said are closely tied to power.
Germany has emphasised the need to develop alternatives to US-dominated technology as concerns grow about American access, reports Breaking News.
China once again became Germany’s top trading partner during the first eight months of 2025, surpassing the US as higher tariffs impacted German exports. Trade between the US and Germany exceeded €163 billion ($190 billion) during that time.
The recent dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic over safety guardrails for artificial intelligence could serve as a warning—or even an opportunity—for Europe, Steinmeier said, reports Breaking News.
“Europe as a technology hub has talent, markets, opportunities and, importantly, ethical standards. We should build on these,” he said, reports Breaking News.
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