The preliminary agreement struck by the US and Iran on ending the war in the Middle East has elicited mixed reactions from Germany's ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), with one foreign policy expert describing the deal as a "disaster."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, both members of the conservative party, welcomed the agreement on Monday, with Merz describing it as "a diplomatic breakthrough" for US President Donald Trump.
"The agreement has the potential to pave the way towards a reinvigorated global economy and a more secure Middle East," the chancellor said in a statement released shortly after Trump announced that an agreement had been made with Iran.
The deal is to be followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for further negotiations to end the conflict long term.
However, details on what the framework agreement expected to be signed by both sides on Friday entails remain scarce, leading to scepticism among observers and the international community.
Foreign policy expert slams deal
Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy expert in the CDU, described the agreement as a failure that disregards remaining sticking points, including Iran's nuclear programme, in comments to German outlet T-online.
He accused Trump of governing to the "TACO" - or Trump Always Chickens Out - principle - invoking an acronym that has gained popularity among the US president's critics to describe his habit of making threats against political adversaries only to contradict or delay them briefly afterwards, in a bid to make more time for negotiations, for example.
"As soon as a brutal regime makes threats, he caves in and sacrifices long-term security interests for a quick PR win," Kiesewetter said about Trump.
The lawmaker said the deal was an "unprecedented betrayal of the Iranian people."
"This is a disaster for the people of Iran, indirectly props up [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war machine and, in the absence of firm, verifiable guarantees, leaves the door wide open for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb," Kiesewetter said.
Iran has been supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine by supplying combat drones.
Kiesewetter added that Israel will continue to face an existential threat by Iran, and groups supported by Iran could continue to destabilize the region, despite the framework agreement.
German foreign minister notes lack of details
Striking a more optimistic tone than his party colleague, German Foreign Minister Wadephul on Monday described the deal reached between the US and Iran as a "change for the entire region," but cautioned against premature euphoria.
Wadephul welcomed the preliminary deal, but stressed that clarity about what it actually entails would only be available on Friday, when the two sides are expected to sign the agreement.
"I can only urge everyone not to let this opportunity pass them by," Wadephul said upon arrival at an EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.
He called on Iran to "exert sufficient influence" on Hezbollah, its proxy in Lebanon, to halt attacks on Israel, while urging Israel to halt attacks on Lebanon.
Wadephul stressed the agreement must ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened to shipping, "without any restrictions whatsoever and without any possibility of levying customs duties or similar charges."
The negotiations that are to follow the signing of the framework deal must also ensure that Iran no longer poses a threat to the region, Germany's top diplomat said.
US President Donald Trump, Pakistani negotiators and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that the United States and Iran had reached an agreement to pave the way to end the war launched by the US and Israel in February.
Few details of the deal have been released, but Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he would "authorize" the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and "authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade."
The deal is to be signed on Friday, according to Islamabad.
