By Thorsten Benner

Germany is rethinking everything nuclear

The incoming German government, rattled by the prospect of U.S. President Donald Trump withdrawing security guarantees, is preparing a fundamental readjustment of its defense posture. The new coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) has already agreed to push for changes to the debt brake that would pave the way to dramatically higher military spending. Germany’s likely next chancellor, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, stated that “in view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent,” the government’s new motto needs to be “whatever it takes.”

Iran summons E3 envoys over ‘provocative’ closed-door UN security council session

TEHRAN - Tehran has summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to express strong opposition to their role in convening a recent United Nations Security Council meeting on Iran's nuclear program.

Germany says Israeli aid freeze, electricity cut in Gaza violates ‘international law’ 

The German government said on Monday that Israel's decision to halt aid deliveries and cut off the electricity supply to Gaza could prompt a fresh humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Araghchi urges stronger bilateral ties in meeting with new ambassador to Germany

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has underscored the significance of strengthening diplomatic relations between Iran and Germany, highlighting the historical ties and potential for expanded cooperation between the two nations.

Iranian tourism minister, German ambassador discuss cultural ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has met with the German ambassador to Iran to explore avenues for strengthening cultural relations between the two nations.

Merz faces hard road to government after German election win

German conservatives under Friedrich Merz vowed on Monday to quickly form a government after winning a national election but face tricky coalition talks and the prospect of an obstructive parliament after far-right and far-left parties surged.

Merz calls for 'step by step' independence from US

Germany's next leader, Friedrich Merz, has issued a stark warning to Europe that the United States has become "largely indifferent" to the continent's fate and it must become independent.

Symbolic funeral held for Nasrallah across the region

A symbolic funeral was held on Sunday at 16:00 local time in Baghdad for Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who was assassinated in an Israeli massive air strike in Beirut on September 2. The ceremony was held concurrently with the funeral held for the legendary martyr in Beirut.

In Germany, the center can hold

Germany’s once stable and drearily predictable politics are in disarray. At the end of last year, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government collapsed, triggering the country’s first early elections in 20 years. Then, in late January, Friedrich Merz, the head of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the leading candidate for chancellor, pushed a hard-line motion tightening Germany’s immigration policies through parliament. To do so, he relied on the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), breaking for the first time a federal “firewall” imposed by Germany’s centrist parties against working with the AfD.

Iran, Lufthansa in talks to resume flights, aviation official says

TEHRAN - Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Amirani has announced that Iran and German flag carrier Lufthansa are in discussions to resume flights.

Iranian visits to Türkiye see 30.9 percent year-on-year rise

TEHRAN - The number of Iranian nationals visiting neighboring Turkey has soared by 30.9 percent in 2024 compared to a year earlier.

Majid Nili Ahmadabadi appointed as Iran’s new ambassador to Germany

TEHRAN – Iran has appointed Majid Nili Ahmadabadi as its new ambassador to Germany.

Macron and Scholz: Trump presidency ‘challenge’ calls for ‘strong’ Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sought to project unity at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday, as Europe struggles to respond with one voice to threats of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iranian airline to launch direct flights to Paris, other European cities amid sanctions

TEHRAN - Iran Airtour, a private Iranian airline, has announced it will begin direct flights from Tehran to several European destinations, with Paris being the first city on its new route.

Iran calls nuclear talks with E3 ‘serious, frank, and constructive’

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, described the latest round of talks with the European trio (E3) – the United Kingdom, France, and Germany – as "constructive."

World's top arms producers see revenues rise on the back of wars and regional tensions

Revenues from sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry reached $632 billion in 2023, a real-terms increase of 4.2 percent compared with 2022, according to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), available at www.sipri.org.

Russia rules out German and Japanese Security Council bids

Germany and Japan will never become permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia’s envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has said.

French and German foreign ministers visit Syria

The foreign ministers of France and Germany are headed to Damascus on the first official visit to Syria by top diplomats from European Union countries after the fall of former President Bashar Assad, in what the German minister said is a clear signal that a "new beginning" between Europe and Syria is possible.

Leader's advisor meets German envoy amid heightened tensions

TEHRAN – Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, met with Markus Potzel, the German Ambassador to Tehran, on Tuesday.

Germany accuses Elon Musk of trying to influence its election

The German government accused US billionaire Elon Musk on Monday of trying to influence its election due in February with articles supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, even though it suggested they amounted to “nonsense.”

Tehran condemns ‘violent’ car attack at German Christmas market

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has issued a condemnation of a violent car attack at a bustling Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, which left at least five people dead and over 200 injured.

Several dead, more than 200 injured in car attack on German Christmas market

Five people have been killed, including a child, and more than 200 injured after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, officials said, BBC reported. 

Iran becomes Türkiye’s second-largest source of tourism in November

TEHRAN - Iranian tourists have emerged as Türkiye’s second-largest group of visitors in November, contributing significantly to the country’s booming tourism sector.

Scholz promises $685 million military aid in surprise Kyiv visit

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz unveiled 650 million euros ($685 million) of new military aid as he came to Kyiv on Monday, vowing Berlin would remain Ukraine's biggest backer in Europe at a crucial moment in the war, with Donald Trump set to return to the White House, Reuters reported.

All Iranian consular services in Germany now in Berlin after closure of 3 consulates

TEHRAN – Following the closure of Iranian consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, the Iranian Embassy in Berlin announced the centralization of all consular services at its location, effective November 18th. 

Germany's silence on Gaza is height of Western double standards: Iran FM

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Germany over its response to the case of German-Iranian prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd and the broader diplomatic rift that has since emerged.

Germany faces sudden turmoil after ruling coalition collapses

Germany’s government coalition has collapsed in dramatic fashion after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats in a late-night move following a marathon of crisis meetings.