The war launched by the US and Israeli regimes against Iran has now lasted 100 days. During this period, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dramatically changed his position on the conflict.

The initial strikes on February 28 killed key Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with numerous civilians. No prominent international legal scholar has claimed these attacks comply with international law, yet Merz avoided calling them a violation.

Initially, Merz referred to the Iranian government as a "terrorist regime" and argued that the US and Israel had "good reasons" for the attacks. Political scientist Johannes Varwick of the University of Halle suggested Merz believed the goals were correct, even if he disagreed with the methods.

However, in late April, Merz made an abrupt U-turn. Speaking to students, he said the US had "no convincing strategy" in Iran and accused Tehran of "humiliating" Washington. This shift followed increasingly extreme rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to "wipe Iran off the map."

Trump reacted angrily, announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany and imposing tariffs on EU car exports. The war has also hit Germany's economy hard: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent oil and gas prices soaring.

Domestically, Merz's approval ratings have plummeted while support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged. An ARD poll found 58% of Germans consider the US-Israeli military action unjustified.

Varwick argues that Germany and Europe must define their own interests rather than following Washington's lead. Merz, who advocated for greater German independence from the US before becoming chancellor, appears to have returned to that position after months of silence.

Source: www.dw.com