Question:

Mr Wadephul, there is to be an evacuation flight from Jordan to Frankfurt on Wednesday. How dangerous is the situation just now? Can you really guarantee that every German who wants to fly out will be able to?

Johann Wadephul:

We want to ensure that everyone who decides to leave Israel by land now in order to return to Germany from Jordan or later maybe from Egypt will in fact be able to do so. That is something people must decide for themselves. The situation is dangerous. For many people, it will be more sensible to stay at home. There are shelters in Israel. The country has a very good protection strategy. We simply have to leave it up to people themselves to decide what they want to do. But we do want to provide assistance for those who are able to leave the country. Thanks to our good cooperation with Jordan, we are already doing so with a first flight, for which there has been a good uptake. What we can do for our compatriots, we will. And of course I also have to look after our embassy staff. We are quite worried about them, too.

Question:

We have heard from many Germans that it is relatively complicated to get to Amman, because you have to make your own way to the border with Jordan and then somehow travel on to Amman. Can you understand the annoyance some Germans feel about this?

Johann Wadephul:

There’s bound to be a feeling of annoyance. I mean, the situation is difficult enough. It is an ongoing armed conflict. I can’t stop it from here. And it could not have been foreseen in this form. Now we can only do whatever is at all possible. But we are helping. We are doing what the Federal Republic of Germany can do, for citizens who of course have known for a long time that, unfortunately, the situation in the entire region is dangerous. But we are at their side.

Question:

US President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 Summit. How do you explain his departure? Would you assume that the Americans will take part in this conflict, possibly even with so-called “bunker buster” bombs?

Johann Wadephul:

I do not think the United States of America will intervene in this war. That is what they have said from the outset. And that has consistently been the position so far. Of course, if America is attacked, it will defend itself. Everyone knows that. So the Iranians should be careful. And they have been told that. By the way, I can only urge that no other states and no other groups be drawn into the conflict either. That’s the message I have taken away from my trip. The entire region is worried about being drawn in. That needs to be avoided. And of course we need to reach a negotiated solution. We Europeans, too, are ready to play our part here. France, the United Kingdom and Germany, the so-called E3 format, are involved in nuclear talks with Iran. We spoke to our Iranian colleague yesterday (Monday, Ed.) and are ready to start. But Iran needs to take the next step now. It must be clear that the country is not seeking a nuclear weapon. By the way, the ballistic missiles, too, could reach Europe – that is a dangerous programme as well. Regrettably, Iran has taken a very hostile stance in recent years, and indeed has provided strong support to Russia in its war against Ukraine. In other words, there’s no trust at present. And Iran is called upon now to take confidence-building measures.

Question:

During your trip to the Gulf, you repeatedly urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table. According to Donald Trump, Iran is apparently ready to negotiate again. In your opinion, should Israel accept this and cease the attacks for now? Or would that mean Tehran gaining time to acquire a nuclear bomb after all?

Johann Wadephul:

It is never too late to come to the negotiating table. I do not have all the information that the US President has. But if the United States of America is still prepared to conduct these negotiations, then that’s good. And Iran must now also declare its readiness to return to the table. We need to see these hostilities, this armed conflict, brought to an end very soon and conduct negotiations. Europe will do what it can to bring this about. The EU Foreign Ministers have just agreed that we will support this approach. We are trying to exert an influence. Germany stands at the side of Israel, which is exposed to huge risks. We must never forget that Iran has not fulfilled its obligations. Destroying Israel is part of Iran’s state ideology. We must not forget that. Against this background, then, one has to have a different sort of understanding for Israel, not least from a German perspective. Nonetheless, we urge a negotiated settlement. We are prepared to play a part. And I believe, if this path is further pursued seriously, then there is a prospect of such negotiations, quite soon.

Question:

In an interview with ABC, Benjamin Netanyahu said that in his view, killing, taking out, Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would end the conflict. Would you agree with that statement?

Johann Wadephul:

I don’t want to get into that in detail. I think it is clear that military targets were to be attacked. My Israeli counterpart has also clearly assured me that the aim is not to bring about regime change, but rather to take away Iran’s possibilities of acquiring nuclear weapons and threatening others with a long-range missile programme. That is Israel’s goal, and I am not aware of any other goals.

Question:

There has as yet been no official request from the Israeli side for weapons supplies or military support. To date, the Federal Government has agreed to provide fire extinguishing material. Should Israel make such a request, would Germany be prepared in principle to support it by providing ammunition or weapons?

Johann Wadephul:

Up till now, we have always supported Israel in defending itself against attacks on Israeli territory. We have received no further requests at this time. And if we did, then the Federal Security Council would have to discuss the matter. These are secret discussions, and I cannot pre-empt them.

Question:

But you would certainly support Lars Klingbeil’s pronouncement at the weekend when he said that if Israel asks, then from the German perspective one cannot refuse?

Johann Wadephul:

There you’d have to ask Lars Klingbeil again in detail. But it is indeed quite clear that Germany stands by Israel. The country’s existence in security is part of Germany’s raison d’état. But please understand that I cannot anticipate anything and make such statements just now. We must respond in the context of the situation at the time. We must make a legal assessment. We must make a political assessment. And anyway, we have received no specific request. Israel has our solidarity. Nonetheless, we call on both sides now to return to the negotiating table.

Interview: Christina Lewinsky