Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) believes in a negotiated solution to the Middle East conflict following the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

"My efforts are aimed at ensuring that this does not become a prolonged war, but rather that we use the opportunity to enter a negotiation phase," said the CDU politician, who is currently in Oman, on Monday on Deutschlandfunk. That's also the hope of the colleagues he's currently meeting in the region. "Everyone is talking to each other."

His contribution could be that Germany has excellent relations with Israel and that the contacts for talks are being used accordingly. "I now definitely see that there is a chance of entering a negotiation phase." "We may not have reached that point yet," the minister continued. "But I am at least somewhat relieved that there is already a common understanding that an endless continuation of this dispute will help no one."