Merz Warns Against Iran State Collapse, Refugee Flows

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers a speech during a campaign event of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party for the state election of Baden-Wuerttemberg in Stockach, Germany, 06 March 2026. (EPA)

17:35-6 March 2026 AD ـ 18 Ramadan 1447 AH

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday the Middle East war must not lead to the collapse of the Iranian state, warning of the impact this would have on migration to Europe.

"An endless war is not in our interest. The same applies to a collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil," he said in a statement.

"Such scenarios could have far-reaching consequences for Europe, including for security, energy supply and migration."

He added that "we share the goals of the United States and Israel regarding the Iranian nuclear and missile program, Tehran's threats against Israel, and its support for terrorism and proxies.

"The Iranian people have the right to freely decide their own destiny."

He warned against chaos, a point he also stressed speaking at a trade fair in Munich.

Germany and its European allies were "pushing hard for Iran's sovereignty to be preserved", he said there.

"We do not want to see a Syrian scenario here," he added.

"I am appealing both in Washington and in all talks with the Israeli government to create the conditions for this country to be stabilized as quickly as possible."

Merz said that "we naturally have a strong interest in this ourselves in order to avoid new waves of refugees from the region".

The United Nations refugee agency on Friday declared the Middle East war a major humanitarian emergency and insisted all fleeing civilians should be granted safe passage.

UNHCR said the war -- which began on Saturday when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran and has spread across the region since -- had already caused large numbers of people to flee their homes.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would provide 100 million euros ($116 million) in humanitarian aid for Lebanon, which became engulfed in the war after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah on Monday fired missiles at Israel to avenge the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

"We are currently seeing a new dynamic and a dramatic situation in Lebanon with many internally displaced persons, and we want to help throughout the region in order to provide assistance on the ground," Wadephul said.

North Korean Leader Thanks Troops Participating in Operations Abroad

This picture taken on September 4, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on September 5, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waving during the 15th National Conference of Teachers in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

Asharq Al Awsat

06:22-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

06:22-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

North Korean Leader Thanks Troops Participating in Operations Abroad

Leader Kim Jong Un praised troops in "overseas military operations" during a speech marking North Korea's founding anniversary, state media reported Thursday, an apparent nod to Pyongyang's assistance in Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has become a key ally of the Kremlin, sending troops to support Moscow's war effort in return for economic benefits and military technology, analysts say.

During comments marking North Korea's September 9, 1948 founding, Kim hailed overseas compatriots but paid special tribute to troops deployed abroad, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday.

"I also extend my special gratitude and profound respect to the commanders and soldiers of our military participating in overseas military operations," AFP quoted Kim as saying on the nation's the 78th anniversary.

"Our ideal is being realized rapidly thanks to patriotism, voluntary service and devoted contributions by all citizens praying for the country's prosperity," he added.

According to South Korea, some 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In August, Ukraine claimed that Moscow had launched North Korean ballistic missiles in a strike that killed at least nine people and wounded dozens.

Kyiv has also said that up to 50,000 North Korean troops are due to deploy to Russia, although it has provided no evidence to back the claim or a timeframe for the deployment.

In making the claim, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Seoul to supply air defense systems to protect against Russian missiles, a request that has gone unanswered by the South.

World

Trump Promises Americans $5,000 if Republicans Win Congress

09 September 2026, US, Dallas: US President Trump speaks to the crowd during scenes at the Dallas 2026 Mid-Term Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Photo: Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Washington: Asharq Al Awsat

05:51-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Washington: Asharq Al Awsat

05:51-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Trump Promises Americans $5,000 if Republicans Win Congress

President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in November, coupling the extraordinary claim with a plea for his supporters to "pretend" he was on the ballot.

"If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump dividend," he told the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, as the party struggles in polls against the Democrats.

The president did not say where the money would come from -- with the theoretical bill likely topping $1 trillion -- citing only that "our country is making so much money."

Doubling down on his bet that he can help Republicans defy opinion polls and retain both houses of Congress on November 3, Trump said: "I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot."

"I'm on the ballot, I'm on the ballot -- just one more time," he told the crowd.

Opinion polls overwhelmingly show that Trump's approval ratings are in the low 30s, as voters become increasingly angry about high prices and the war he launched against Iran.

Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate to finish 51-49 in their favor in November.

Trump strongly defended the unpopular Iran war, predicting victory and linking it directly to lower oil prices -- before suggesting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz should be renamed after him.

"Food prices and almost every other item are rapidly going down. And by the way oil will be going down as soon as we win the war with Iran, which is taking place right now," Trump said.
Trump also echoed other Republicans at the convention stirring up what he said was a wave of communism threatening the United States.

"It's going to be a communist country if they win," he said.

"Your vote will decide whether our country stumbles at the starting gate of the next 250 years or surges forward and never ever looks back," he said.

Trump is due to return for the convention finale Thursday, after a keynote address from Vice President JD Vance.

Cabinet members, congressional leaders and candidates in closely watched House and Senate races are also on the program.

The central Republican gamble is whether Trump can mobilize voters personally loyal to him even when he is not actually running, without further alienating independents who have soured on his presidency.

Inside the American Airlines Center, there was little sign of Republican anxiety about November.

The convention even featured a video address from Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who has become increasingly at odds with his party's left wing over issues including Israel.

Republicans highlighted tax cuts and immigration enforcement, touting boosted manufacturing and lower prescription drug prices.

The cavernous arena was festooned with Trump posters as supporters milled around in sequined jackets patterned with his name, image and the American flag, some topped with ten-gallon hats.

Food stalls hawked overpriced snacks while merchandise stands did brisk business in T-shirts, mugs, posters and copies of the latest literary offering from the Trump clan, "Under Siege" by the president's second son, Eric.

Despite the political headwinds facing Republicans, the mood was festive. Chants of "USA! USA!" -- familiar from Trump's campaign rallies -- echoed around the hall as the national anthem opened the program.

Trump's speech was received warmly in the room, with spontaneous bursts of chanting after each applause line, and the enthusiasm spilled into the American Airlines Center's vast atrium outside.

Dallas local Tracey Wroblski, 59, said Trump was "on fire" with his inspiring midterm messaging.

"It's awesome, it's meaty, it's we're fixing our country," she told AFP. "He's funny, and he's, he's on point. We're not going to communism. We're staying Republican, thank you very much."

The gathering is the first Republican national convention held specifically for a midterm election, although no candidates are being nominated and no formal party business is planned.

Instead, organizers have constructed what amounts to a two-night television rally touting Trump's record and Republican candidates.

More than 100 House members and candidates were expected to attend, with over 50 speakers or presentations scheduled each night.

World

Trump Says Activity Seen at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, Urges Tehran 'Not to Get Cute'

FILE PHOTO: A satellite view shows tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain, of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS

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05:19-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

05:19-10 September 2026 AD ـ 28 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Trump Says Activity Seen at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, Urges Tehran 'Not to Get Cute'

FILE PHOTO: A satellite view shows tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain, of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, urging Tehran to be cautious.

"We notice there's a little activity at Pickaxe. I would advise Iran not to get cute because we will have to hit them very hard," Trump said in a speech at the midterm Republican convention.

Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran's heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a fortified site with two deeply buried tunnel complexes, Reuters said.

Trump has been ‌threatening strikes ‌on Pickaxe Mountain since at least mid-July.

The rise ‌in ⁠oil and gas ⁠prices due to the US-Israeli war on Iran has become a major issue for Trump and his Republican Party in the lead-up to the midterm US elections in November.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states that host US bases. ⁠US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on ‌Lebanon have killed thousands and ‌displaced millions.

Trump also said he thought the war was going to end immediately ‌after the midterms, alleging Tehran was trying to influence the ‌elections that will determine whether the Republicans retain control of Congress.

Pickaxe Mountain lies 220 km (140 miles) south of Tehran and 2 km from the Natanz complex.

The Natanz site, where two of Iran's uranium enrichment plants ‌were located, was struck in March as part of the US-Israeli military attacks on Iran. ⁠Israel also ⁠hit Natanz during last year's 12-day Israel-Iran war.

The tunnel facility under construction at Pickaxe Mountain was not targeted in either of those wars, according to the Institute for Science and International Security, a US-based think tank focused on nuclear non-proliferation.

Trump has cited weakening Iran's nuclear capabilities as one of his war objectives. Iran does not have nuclear weapons and says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes. The US is a nuclear power. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the Middle East but has not confirmed or denied it publicly.

Merz Warns Against Iran State Collapse, Refugee Flows

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