Chancellor Merz Questions US-Israeli Strategy for Regime Change in Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned the feasibility of achieving regime change in Iran during a forum in Frankfurt. Speaking on the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, Merz argued that historical interventions, such as the war in Afghanistan, suggest that attempting to overthrow a government often replaces one hostile regime with another.

Merz voiced doubts about whether the United States and Israel possess a clear strategy, warning that both nations are becoming more deeply entangled without a defined path to success. He explicitly informed U.S. President Donald Trump that the conflict is not a NATO war. Despite Trump's criticisms regarding the lack of NATO participation in the attacks, Merz stated that the U.S. president appeared to have accepted Germany's refusal to join the hostilities.

While rejecting immediate military deployment, Merz indicated that Germany remains open to regional stabilization efforts after a ceasefire. He proposed that Berlin could assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz—which is currently blocked by Iran—through activities such as mine clearance. Such an intervention would require an international mandate and approval from both the German parliament and cabinet.