Diplomacy Wadephul calls for tougher Iran sanctions after US meeting
Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for tougher measures against the leadership in Tehran. He remained silent on the possibility of US military intervention in Iran.
12.01.2026, 23:51
SDA
Wadephul said that Iran was seen as an "unjust regime" without popular legitimacy that was using means against its own people "that violate all rules of humanity".
Wadephul announced that the German government would attempt to extend sanctions to the Iranian leadership. This would include a listing in the European Union's terror sanctions regime. This has not yet been possible because it requires unanimity in the EU. He called on the member states to re-examine the issue in light of the violent action against demonstrators.
Almost ten years after the historic nuclear agreement with Iran, UN sanctions such as an arms embargo and a ban on uranium enrichment against the country came back into force last August following failed negotiations. The states party to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran - Germany, France and the UK - had previously triggered the so-called snapback mechanism to reintroduce sanctions because they believed Iran was in breach of the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Military strike against Iran is a matter for the USA
The international community must also make it clear together that it stands in solidarity with the Iranian people, said Wadephul. There was a common understanding on this with Rubio. Germany and the USA wanted to work towards the G7 states issuing a joint declaration.
In response to a question about possible military intervention by the USA, Wadephul referred to the responsibility of the American government and US President Donald Trump for such decisions. It was the task of the US government to communicate whether and when concrete measures would be taken.
