Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on Tuesday described the ongoing Iran war as a “disastrous mistake” and a breach of international law, delivering an unusually sharp critique of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
Speaking at the German foreign ministry, Steinmeier said the conflict was both unnecessary and illegal, questioning the justification provided for the imminent threat to U.S. targets. “Our foreign policy does not become more convincing just because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law,” he stated.
The president, whose largely ceremonial role allows for candid remarks, warned that Trump’s second term represents a rupture in transatlantic relations comparable to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia to before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations to before January 20, 2025,” Steinmeier added.
Steinmeier stressed that Germany must learn from past dependencies on foreign powers, particularly Russia, and apply these lessons to reduce reliance on the U.S. in defense and technology. He highlighted Europe’s potential as a technology hub with strong ethical standards, talent, and market opportunities, citing the recent dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic over AI safety as a possible wake-up call.
He also noted economic shifts, pointing out that China reclaimed its position as Germany’s top trading partner in the first eight months of 2025, overtaking the U.S., whose trade with Germany totaled over 163 billion euros ($190 billion) during the same period.
Steinmeier’s remarks mark a more critical stance than Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has largely avoided publicly weighing in on the legality of the war.
