German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called on Iran to "immediately stop" its "indiscriminate attacks", while predicting that the country's rule by clerics was coming to an end with the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Germany shares Iranians' "relief" to see the "mullah regime come to an end", Merz said, though he cautioned that the killing of Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes on Tehran had set Iran on a path to an "uncertain future".
France slammed Iran's "massive and unjustifiable" attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan Sunday, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying they were being "drawn into a war they did not choose".
"I have expressed to each of them France's unequivocal condemnation, full solidarity and complete support," he added in a post on X.
- 'Day after' in Iran -
Merz also called on US and European partners to start planning for the future of Iran and the region, saying the people of Iran deserved a better future after US and Israeli strikes killed its supreme leader.
Merz said his government agreed with US goals to end Tehran's nuclear armament and finish a "destructive game" being played by Iran, but he warned of possible dangers ahead.
"This is not without risk. We do not know how far the region will be drawn into escalation by Iran's harsh counterstrikes," Merz told reporters.
Pointing to some reservations over the US and Israeli actions, Merz said now was not the time to lecture partners and allies, despite doubts.
"We want to work with our partners in the US, Israel, the region, and Europe to develop an agenda for the day after," said Merz.
His four aims were to ensure peace and stability in the region, to get Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile program, to contribute to a stable future for Iran and to help Iranians decide their own fate.
Merz also said Germany would not tolerate attacks on US or Israeli institutions in the country.
