German president says US-Israeli war on Iran is illegal

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) has said that the US-Israeli attacks on Iran are a “breach of international law”. The Iranian regime and AfD praised Steinmeier’s comment, while the CDU voiced criticism.

Steinmeier says US-Israeli war on Iran is illegal

At an event marking the 75th anniversary of the German Foreign Ministry, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, in his opinion, there is “little doubt” that the US-Israeli war on Iran is “a breach of international law”. 

Steinmeier’s role as president and head of state is largely ceremonial, but his comments carry weight in shaping public and political discussion. While Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has said the US-Israeli attacks on Iran are “not [Germany’s] war”, the CDU/CSU-SPD cabinet has not publicly condemned the war in such strong terms as Steinmeier.

"Our foreign policy does not become any more convincing simply because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law,” the president added.

“International law is not an old glove that we should cast aside just because others do. On the contrary, it is vital for the survival of all those who do not count themselves among the major powers.”

Steinmeier also expressed deep concerns about Germany’s existing and future relationship with the US. Just as we can never go back to before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we can never go back to before Donald Trump’s second presidential term, Steinmeier said.

"The rift is too deep, and the trust in American power politics has been lost, not only among our allies but... worldwide.”

Praise and criticism follow Steinmeier’s comment

Steinmeier’s comments have drawn praise and disapproval from across the political spectrum. “In this case, he is right,” AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla said, according to a report from DIE ZEIT, “The attack on Ukraine was a breach of international law. The attack on Iran is too.”

Chrupalla’s praise and comments on Ukraine coincided with a Tuesday announcement that EU diplomats are concerned the AfD may pass on confidential information to the Kremlin. In late 2025, AfD politicians were accused of filing government information requests to benefit Russian intelligence.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also praised the president. "Credit to President Steinmeier for condemning the violations against Iranians. Those who value the rule of law should also speak up," Araghchi wrote on X. 

"International law is dead in practice — driven by Western double standards on Gaza vs Ukraine and silence on Israel–US aggression on Iran,” the minister continued.

Meanwhile, CDU/CSU Bundestag leader Jens Spahn urged Steinmeier to exercise restraint. “As in other cases, the assessment under international law is the responsibility of the federal government, and I expect officials and dignitaries of the German Republic to await the outcome of this assessment and to respect it,” Spahn said.

On Wednesday morning, the German government told Deutschlandfunk it is reviewing the legality of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran against the backdrop of “Iran’s numerous violations of international law and international agreements, as well as a latent threat to the existence of the State of Israel.”