In a recent interview, Germany’s Friedrich Merz commented on Israel’s role in the tensions with Iran, stating that Israel is performing the ‘dirty work for us’. This remark adds a new layer to the ongoing discussions about international dynamics surrounding the Middle East.
As the G7 summit unfolded in Canada, President Donald Trump made an early exit to address escalating conflicts between Israel and Iran. While Trump refuted claims about mediating a ceasefire, he did endorse a G7 issued statement that emphasized the importance of resolving the Iranian crisis to promote wider de-escalation of hostilities.
Political analyst Catherine Clüver Ashbrook from the Bertelsmann Foundation provided insights into Trump’s potential strategies for managing the conflict. “If you take the president at his original first word, he really does still want to pursue a diplomatic solution,” Ashbrook noted. Following Israel’s military strikes last Friday, Trump voiced that Iran should negotiate before it is ‘too late’.
Ashbrook further revealed that Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is preparing for discussions with Iranian officials aimed at addressing the Iranian nuclear program’s future. Notably, the U.S. and Iran had been engaged in nuclear discussions prior to the recent hostilities initiated by Israel.
Ashbrook pointed out the complexities facing U.S. officials, especially with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu taking swift action. “The Americans really need to weigh their options very carefully,” she cautioned.
Additionally, there have been considerations of providing B2 bomber support to Israel, which may enable the deployment of bunker-busting bombs capable of targeting Iran’s underground nuclear sites. This tactic could be seen as part of a broader ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach, where military threats remain a possibility while still pushing for diplomatic talks with Iran.
“The question right now is whether Israel’s actions are solely focused on dismantling Iranian nuclear capabilities or indicating a deeper agenda for regime change,” Ashbrook asserted, highlighting the potential for significant U.S. engagement in the region—a prospect the current administration has sought to avoid.