Merkel: An Immediate Solution is Needed for Iran's Aggressive Approach in the Region

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, emphasized the shared concerns of European leaders regarding Iran's ballistic missiles and called for an immediate solution to Iran's "aggressive policy" in the Middle East. During her visit to Jordan on Thursday, June 21, after meeting with King Abdullah, she told reporters: "Regarding Iran's aggressive approach, beyond discussion and consultation, we need an immediate solution." In recent weeks, following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, Merkel has repeatedly expressed her concerns about Iran's missile activities and its actions in the region while emphasizing Germany's commitment to remaining in the nuclear agreement. Merkel's statements were made during a joint press conference with the King of Jordan in Amman. She stated that European countries, despite their desire to maintain the nuclear agreement, share common concerns about "Iran's ballistic missile program and its presence in Syria and role in the Yemen war." One of the reasons Donald Trump cited for the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement on May 8 was that the Islamic Republic continued to develop its ballistic missile program and "support terrorism" in the region even after the JCPOA. Several Arab countries, as well as the U.S. and Europe, have consistently expressed concerns about Iran's actions in the region, particularly in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. In recent months, pressure has intensified for the withdrawal of Iranian forces from southern Syria, which is located near the borders of Israel and Jordan, although the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council has denied the presence of Iranian forces in southern Syria. Merkel also referred to Iran's actions in southern Syria, stating that Jordan is not only grappling with the challenges of hosting one million refugees but is also witnessing Iranian movements near its borders that "threaten the security of Israel and Jordan's borders." About three weeks ago, following a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, Merkel stated that Iran's actions in the region are "concerning, especially for Israel's security." Iran has consistently denied accusations of "supporting terrorism" in the region, describing its presence in Syria as "advisory" and "at the invitation of Bashar al-Assad's government." Iran has also rejected allegations regarding the military equipping of Houthi rebels in Yemen; the UN reported last year that Iran has failed to comply with the organization's request to prevent the transfer of weapons to Yemen, although the report did not specify the origin of the weapons. On the other hand, negotiations between Iran and European countries regarding the fate of the JCPOA are also tied to Iran's missile activities and actions in the region. However, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has stated that Europe "must guarantee" that these two issues will not be addressed in the negotiations. In addition to Germany, two other European countries that signed the nuclear agreement with Iran, namely France and Britain, have also expressed concerns about Iran's missile activities and the Islamic Republic's actions in the Middle East. Theresa May, the Prime Minister of Britain, emphasized about two weeks ago during a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister that London shares a consensus with Israel on preventing Iran from "regional aggressions" and limiting the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile activities. Senior officials in France have also emphasized the need to maintain the JCPOA while expressing concerns about Iran's missile activities and actions in the region, advocating for negotiations to reach an agreement on these two areas with Iran.