German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday described the framework agreement reached between the US and Iran on ending the war in the Middle East as a "change for the entire region," but cautioned against premature optimism.
Wadephul welcomed the preliminary deal struck at the weekend that is to be followed by further negotiations, but stressed that clarity about what it actually entails would only be available on Friday, when the two sides are expected to sign the deal.
"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.
