- Russia supplies Iran with weapons from <unk> Germany disputes military aid to Israel
While international diplomats are working towards de-escalation in the Middle East, the situation in the region continues to deteriorate. Iran and Lebanon are threatening Israel with retaliation. Whether these two countries will carry out their threats remains to be seen. Reports in the media that Russia is currently supplying Iran with modern radar systems and air defense equipment are likely to further fuel international concerns about escalation.
According to reports by the "New York Times", citing two Iranian officials familiar with war planning, Iran had previously requested modern air defense systems from Russia in preparation for a possible war with Israel. These reports were confirmed by Iranian media reports. The delivery is said to have begun following talks between the secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, and high-ranking Iranian representatives in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Moscow tries to defuse the situation
Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent his trusted representatives to Iran amid growing fears of a regional conflagration in the Middle East. The former Russian defense minister's schedule included meetings with the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Mohammed Bagheri. Shoigu was also received by the new Iranian president, Massoud Peschkian.
Moscow maintains close ties with Tehran and Hamas, but also has contacts with Israel, having condemned the killing of the Hamas foreign minister, Ismail Haniyeh. In light of the threatened retaliatory strikes against the Jewish state, the Russian government has called on all sides to exercise restraint.
Germany's state interest uncertain
Amid this tense situation, the question of Germany's state interest arises. Whether the Bundeswehr should support Israel in case of need is still a contentious issue among German politicians. The chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, views a deployment at least skeptically. Germany should help Israel, for example by quickly approving arms exports, said the FDP politician to the editorial network Germany (RND). But he added: "The Bundeswehr in Israel was not asked and could help little."
The CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter had previously called on the federal government to also offer Israel military support for defense in light of the impending Iranian attack. His party colleague Johann Wadephul sees this differently. "Scenarios like military support are not on the agenda as far as we know. In any case, a Bundestag mandate would be needed for this," the Union faction vice-president told the RND.
German state interest is a "clear promise"
The SPD defense expert Andreas Schwarz told the RND: "So far, there have been no requests from Israel. But I assume that the federal government is prepared for this and is in contact with Israel and the western allies on this issue." Schwarz referred to the protection of Israel as Germany's state interest. "This is a clear promise with very high responsibility. In case of need, these great words must also be followed by the corresponding deeds."
The president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, was even clearer. The historical responsibility of Germany for the security of Israel is not legally binding, Schuster said in an interview with RND. Nevertheless, he emphasized: "But in my view, this naturally means that Germany stands militarily at the side of the Jewish state in the event of an attack on the scale currently threatened."
Evacuation of German citizens
Meanwhile, the German Armed Forces are prepared for a major operation to evacuate German citizens. Transport aircraft of the type A400M and soldiers are being held ready at the airbase in Lower Saxony, Wunstorf, ready to depart at short notice, as explained to the German Press Agency. The navy is also making preparations. The operation could primarily involve the evacuation of Germans who have remained in Lebanon despite repeated calls to leave.
The rising tensions between Iran and Israel in the Middle East have led Moscow to send its high-ranking representatives to Iran, aiming to defuse the situation and maintain its close ties with both Tehran and Israel. Germany, having historical responsibility towards Israel's security, is considering its state interest in the region, with SPD defense expert Andreas Schwarz stating that Germany stands militarily at Israel's side if needed.
