BERLIN

Germany on Wednesday said that the time has come for stepped-up diplomacy aimed at ending the ongoing war in Iran.

“I think we’re at a stage where we’ll certainly be discussing more concrete negotiations. We’ll have to wait and see what comes of the (Iran-US) talks in Pakistan – talks in which we are not participating, but which are evidently taking place and which are certainly welcome, said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a joint press briefing with his Tunisian counterpart Mohamed Ali Nafti.

“Even though everyone naturally wishes that all fighting would stop tomorrow – or even today – we still need to proceed in a very coordinated and cautious manner in this situation,” he added.

Wadehul said that he plans to talk to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the G7 meeting in Paris.

“I think the talks in Paris can now give us a good idea of where we stand and what options are available. In any case, Germany is doing everything it can to help resolve this conflict,” he added.

Hostilities have escalated since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.