BERLIN

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held telephone calls with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani focused on the volatile situation in the Middle East, said a government statement on Friday.

Merz's spokesman Stefan Kornelius said that during the calls, the chancellor advocated for "a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip" and suggested that following the end of fighting between Israel and Iran, conditions might be favorable for progress in ceasefire talks.

"The Chancellor emphasized that humanitarian aid must now urgently reach the people in the Gaza Strip. This must be done in a safe and humane manner," Kornelius said, adding that Merz thanked the Qatari emir for his "valuable mediation" efforts in the ongoing conflict.

According to his spokesman, Merz condemned Iran's military strikes, reiterated Germany's support for Israel, and expressed solidarity with the Arab states of the Gulf. He also underlined that a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear program is needed.

Merz criticized Iran for suspending its cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, and underlined that the E3 countries – Germany, France, and the UK – will continue their close cooperation.

"The Chancellor emphasized that Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) was unacceptable. He announced that Germany, France, and Great Britain would continue to coordinate closely on this issue, in consultation with the US and partners in the region," Kornelius said.