Germany urges peaceful solution to Iran crisis

BERLIN

Germany on Friday urged a peaceful solution to tensions between U.S. and Iran ahead of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Berlin next week.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, deputy government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said recent tensions with Iran over its nuclear program and role in the region would be among the topics of Merkel-Pompeo meeting on May 31.

“As you know the Federal Government believes that all the issues regarding Iran can only be solved in a peaceful way, through talks and agreements. And of course the Chancellor would express this position during her meeting with Mr. Pompeo,” she said.

Earlier this month, Pompeo had cancelled a long-planned visit to Berlin at short notice and travelled to Baghdad, amid reports in the U.S. media that claimed Iran or affiliated groups ware preparing to attack American troops in Iraq.

Recent weeks have seen steadily mounting tensions between Tehran and the Washington.

On Sunday, following a rocket attack near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, President Donald Trump told Iran not to threaten the U.S., saying it will be Tehran's "official end".

Last week, the U.S. deployed a carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf, citing “intelligence” of an imminent Iranian attack on U.S. interests in the region.

Tehran responded to the escalation by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a main artery for global oil shipments linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran with new sanctions, EU heavyweights -- Germany, France and the U.K. -- continue to back the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

The agreement foresees lifting economic sanctions imposed on Iran in return for Tehran agreeing to limit its nuclear activity to peaceful and civilian purposes.