German Foreign Minister Wadephul says military action cannot bring regime change in Iran, defends Israel's security and warns against escalation
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned that military intervention cannot overthrow Iran's government or liberate its people, even as he accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons, supporting armed groups across the Middle East and threatening regional security.
Speaking in an interview with German journalist Anne Will, Wadephul criticized Iran's leadership while rejecting the idea that foreign military force could bring about lasting political change.
“Military action there will not bring about regime change, nor will it liberate the Iranian people,” he said.
Wadephul accused the Iranian government of widespread repression, including imprisonment, torture and executions, but insisted that meaningful political transformation must originate within the country.
“The change that we would like to see cannot be brought about militarily. It can only develop from within Iran itself,” he said.
The German foreign minister also blamed Tehran for contributing to regional instability, alleging that Iran was preparing to acquire nuclear weapons and supporting militias that violate neighboring countries' sovereignty.
“Iran is not behaving harmlessly or in a friendly manner,” Wadephul said, arguing that its actions gave other countries reasons to respond, including militarily in self-defense.
Asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to continue military operations against Iran, Wadephul cautioned against assuming that another attack had already been decided.
“He has not made any statements in which he definitively said that he wants an attack. He has not said that,” he replied.
Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's special responsibility toward Israel, linking Berlin's commitment to the country's Nazi past and the historical persecution of Jewish people.
“We have a special responsibility toward the State of Israel, ultimately a place of refuge for Jewish people,” he said.
He added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi understood Germany's position despite opposing it, revealing that Tehran continued to seek diplomatic contact with Berlin.
“It is not as though I am pushing to speak with the Iranian foreign minister. He regularly asks me whether he can speak with me again,” Wadephul said.
The minister defended Germany's diplomatic influence, arguing that its relationships with Washington and Israel allowed Berlin to communicate directly with both governments.
“I believe Germany does carry weight. Otherwise, we would not be contacted so frequently,” he said.
Turning to the United States, Wadephul urged Germans to remember America's role in defeating Nazi Germany, rebuilding West Germany and supporting reunification, arguing that current disagreements should not overshadow decades of cooperation.
He also defended Germany's support for Ukraine, warning that allowing Russia to win a war of territorial conquest would establish a dangerous precedent.
“If we allowed Russia to win a war of conquest in violation of every principle of law, it would set a precedent, and nobody would know where it would stop,” he said.
“We are on the right side. We are on the side of those who have been attacked. We are on the side of the law.”
His remarks reflected Berlin's effort to balance support for Israel, criticism of Tehran, continued diplomatic engagement and opposition to military intervention as a means of imposing regime change.