German Chancellor Merz on Iran:

We have no interest in the dissolution of Iran’s territorial integrity, its statehood, or its economic viability.

A scenario like the ones we have seen in Libya, Iraq, or other states in the region would harm all of us.

This affects our security, our energy supply, and potentially developments related to migration.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul:

Iran's main political goal is to eliminate the State of Israel, and this cannot be neglected, especially not by the German government.

German Chancellor Merz on Iran:

We must not view the dramatic events surrounding Iran in isolation.

They are closely connected with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and that is precisely why we must not let up now in our support for Kyiv.

While other partners are withdrawing capabilities from NATO’s eastern and northern flank, we remain engaged there.

German Chancellor Merz on Iran:

I share the hope of Trump that this war will end quickly. And if it ends quickly, we will also relatively quickly see a normalization in the oil and energy markets again.

Therefore, from our perspective – and from my perspective – there is no reason to consider easing sanctions against Russia.

And if faced with the choice between sanctions or solidarity, our position is clear: we stand on the side of Ukraine.

German Chancellor Merz:

I want to say this very clearly: the annexation steps being discussed in Jerusalem would make the two-state solution even more difficult.

The German government urgently calls for such steps in the so-called E1 area to be refrained from.

That would be a major mistake.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:

Iran is the heir to a civilization at least 6,000 years old. Through the trials of history, no power has ever succeeded in erasing this storied name.

Anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history. Aggressors have come and gone; Iran has endured.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says it has arrested 30 people in recent days for allegedly spying or collaborating with the US and Israel.

One suspect, a foreign national, is accused of passing sensitive security information to two Persian Gulf governments that then shared it with the US and Israel.

Authorities say 19 others were “field and media operatives” linked to anti-government groups and contacts of Israel.

Zelensky:

We discussed the situation surrounding Iran with the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

We are ready to share our expertise to prevent the expansion of the war and to protect lives.

At the same time, Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense, and we are counting on appropriate support from our partners.

The President noted that Türkiye is ready to host the next round of negotiations in a trilateral format. We appreciate this initiative and hope that it will produce results.

I thank President Erdogan for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, for Türkiye’s readiness to play a role in ensuring maritime security within the Coalition of the Willing, and for the upcoming decisions to help Ukraine’s energy sector.

John Bolton on Iran:

Trump could be manipulating the markets; we know oil prices have risen dramatically.

If there is anything Trump is obsessed about, it is markets and the price of gasoline.

Zelensky:

Ukraine’s experience in countering “Shahed” drones is recognized by all American experts.

Even countries that tried to independently use interceptor drones have realized that without Ukrainian specialists and technologies, it works much worse.

Zelensky:

Ukraine expects to receive missiles for Patriot systems in exchange for assistance in the Middle East.

Zelensky:

Ukraine has sent three professional teams to the Middle East that will work in different countries in the region.

The first countries where Ukrainian experts have already been deployed are Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

There, they will assist with security matters and countering drones.

Q: How do you see this war ending?

Steve Witkoff: I don’t know.