BERLIN

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called Monday for a swift end to the war in Iran and warned of a looming risk of the conflict escalating, the dpa news agency reported.

The war “was launched on a dubious basis under international law,” Steinmeier told journalists in Panama City, his first stop on a five-day tour of Latin America.

He said the military conflict was “politically disastrous,” “and that “just as disastrous would be a further escalation of the war, for which we have indeed seen many signs in recent days.”

Iran, which faces continuous air attacks by both Israel and the US since Feb. 28, has extensive capabilities to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz over the long term using low-intensity military means, Steinmeier said.

“We should therefore bring the hostilities to an end as soon as possible and, above all, work toward that goal with all parties involved,” he added.

Steinmeier recalled that, as foreign minister, he had helped eliminate the threat from Iran through political means. This had been achieved with the 2015 nuclear agreement. “And then President (Donald) Trump withdrew from that agreement during his first term.”

Earlier in the day, Chancellor Friedrich Merz also demanded a quick end to the war against Iran and flatly ruled out sending German naval forces to the Gulf to escort oil tankers.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Merz warned that the risks associated with the US and Israeli military campaign are too high and urged all sides to pursue a political solution to the conflict.

“The Iran war must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and with a clear plan, with a strategy,” Merz said. “There will be no military solution, only a political one. I can only urge all parties involved to seek a political solution. Germany stands ready to contribute.”