German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Iran's leadership to return to negotiations after Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday. He strongly condemned the strikes and demanded an end to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones. This marks the first major Iranian attack on the Gulf state since a ceasefire was agreed on April 8.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said early Tuesday that there is "no military solution" to the "political crisis" in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed peace talks are "making progress" thanks to Pakistan's efforts and warned the US against being "dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers."

Merz wrote on social media: "Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must end." He also reiterated that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks and called for de-escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron described the strikes on civilian infrastructure in the UAE as "unjustified and unacceptable."

Talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, have so far failed to produce results, leaving the April 8 ceasefire increasingly fragile.

Source: www.dw.com