Germany reserves the right to take “military defensive measures”.

German government circles explained that it was about “reserving the right to protect our soldiers in the region if they are attacked. The soldiers of the Bundeswehr exercise this right of self-defense.” No further details were given.

In the statement, Merz, Macron and Starmer emphasize: “We will take the necessary measures to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region. This may potentially include, if necessary, enabling proportionate military defensive measures to destroy Iran’s ability to fire missiles and drones at the source.” To this end, we will also work with the USA and our allies in the region.

Threat to allies in the region

Among the countries attacked by Iran were those that were not involved in the original military operation by the USA and Israel. “Iran’s reckless attacks target close allies and threaten our military personnel and citizens across the region,” the joint statement said.

Starmer said in a video message that evening: “We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations that have already successfully thwarted Iranian strikes.” He added: “But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at their source, in the depots or the rocket launchers used to fire them.” Starmer emphasized that they had not taken part in offensive air strikes against Iran and would not continue to do so.

Attacks on locations also with German soldiers

According to the Bundeswehr, military locations where German soldiers are also stationed have also been targeted following the escalation in the region. On Saturday and Sunday there were attacks on multinational locations in Erbil in northern Iraq and Al-Asrak in Jordan, the operational command in Berlin said upon request. The soldiers on site are safe and well in protective structures. Air defense measures were carried out at both locations.

“The German soldiers were obviously not the immediate target,” said a spokesman for the operational command. The “Spiegel” first reported on the incidents. The Bundeswehr did not provide any information about who carried out the attacks. In response to Israeli-American attacks, Iran carries out counterstrikes on Israel and US bases in the region. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq have also claimed attacks on “enemy” bases in Iraq and the region.