{"id":2583471,"date":"2026-03-24T19:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/german-president-says-us-basis-for-iran-war-does-not-hold-water\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T19:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:42:22","slug":"german-president-says-us-basis-for-iran-war-does-not-hold-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/german-president-says-us-basis-for-iran-war-does-not-hold-water\/","title":{"rendered":"German president says US basis for Iran war &#8216;does not hold water&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgerman-president-says-us-basis-for-iran-war-does-not-hold-water%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583471&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier challenged the United States\u2019 justification for its war with Iran, saying the claim of an imminent threat \u201cdoes not hold water\u201d adn that the conflict violates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">international law<\/a>. He argued in Germany that the push for preemptive action, tied to Iran\u2019s alleged nuclear ambitions, fails to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-hits-intel-with-400-million-antitrust-fine-in-long-running-computer-chip-case\/\" title=\"EU fines Intel 0M in long-standing chip case.\">meet legal standards<\/a> and that the war is avoidable and inconsistent with norms governing the use of force. Steinmeier\u2019s remarks reflect growing European unease with the U.S.-backed campaign, wich has involved strikes with Israel and drew skepticism from some officials in Washington, including resignations like that of Joe Kent. He linked the conflict to the broader collapse of diplomatic efforts, noting that abandoning the 2015 Iran nuclear deal contributed to the crisis and calling the war a politically disastrous mistake. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >episode highlights ongoing tensions<\/a> over whether the justification for the war meets self-defense criteria and the potential for wider regional and economic consequences.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">German president says US justification for Iran war &lsquo;does not hold water&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2541904\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Tuesday that the U.S.&rsquo;s justification for its war with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a> &ldquo;does not hold water,&rdquo; delivering a sharp rebuke of Washington&rsquo;s rationale as questions mount about the conflict&rsquo;s validity.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/germany\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"298\">Germany<\/a>, Steinmeier said the United States argument that Iran posed an imminent threat because of its venture toward a nuclear weapon failed to meet the standard required under international law, calling the war avoidable and inconsistent with legal norms governing the use of force.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4502114\/trump-jokes-hegseth-doesnt-want-iran-war-negotiate\/\">Trump jokes Hegseth doesn&#8217;t want Iran war to end<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4501774\/trump-administration-weighing-deployment-82nd-airborne-iran\/\">Trump weighing deployment of part of 82nd Airborne Division to Middle East<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4501232\/facing-a-bad-choice-of-his-own-making-trump-buys-some-time\/\">Facing a bad choice of his own making, Trump buys some time<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;There is little doubt that, in any case, the justification of an imminent attack on the U.S. does not hold water,&rdquo; Steinmeier said, after affirming that &ldquo;this war violates international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The comments reflect growing European unease with the U.S.-backed campaign, which began joint strikes with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israel<\/a> on Iranian leadership and defense infrastructure. Critics in Europe have increasingly questioned whether the conflict meets the legal threshold for self-defense, particularly in the absence of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-says-land-targets-next-in-pentagon-drug-trafficking-crackdown\/\" title=\"Trump says land targets &#039;next&#039; in Pentagon drug trafficking crackdown\">publicly presented evidence<\/a> of an imminent Iranian attack.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"51\">Marco Rubio<\/a> said the imminent threat was an Iranian counterattack that would follow an Israeli attack that the U.S. knew was coming, while House Speaker <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7043\">Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA) reiterated that the administration believed Tehran presented an imminent threat to U.S. interests and allies with its alleged pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Those claims have been central to the administration&rsquo;s legal and political defense of the war.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, skepticism has also emerged within the Trump administration. Joe Kent, director of President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4489350\/trump-unsure-iran-war-nobel-peace-prize\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s National Counterterrorism Center, became the first known official to resign over the war, citing concerns about its justification and direction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The war has triggered a broader debate over the collapse of diplomatic efforts that once constrained Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program. Steinmeier, who played a role in negotiating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, suggested that abandoning the agreement in favor of military action contributed to the conflict.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This war is also &mdash; and please bear with me when I say this, as someone directly involved &mdash; a politically disastrous mistake,&rdquo; Steinmeier said. &ldquo;And that&rsquo;s what frustrates me the most. A truly avoidable, unnecessary war, if its goal was to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s continued threats to strike Iran&rsquo;s energy infrastructure have also drawn criticism, with some opponents arguing such attacks would be war crimes and risk wider regional escalation.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4490902\/european-leaders-oppose-us-easing-sanction-russian-oil\/\"><strong>EUROPEAN LEADERS UNITED IN OPPOSING US EASING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN OIL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Steinmeier&rsquo;s office is largely symbolic, as Chancellor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/friedrich-merz\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11796\">Friedrich Merz<\/a> is primarily responsible for running the government, but his public opposition could fuel debate in Germany over the war in Iran.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Merz was initially in favor of the war, having shared the U.S. goal of regime change in Iran, but the spreading economic tolls due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have prompted the chancellor to be more critical.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steinmeier: U.S. Iran war rationale not valid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2583472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26075619586209.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[76485,3946,3823,73203],"class_list":["post-2583471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-german-president","tag-germany","tag-iran","tag-us-iran-relations-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26075619586209.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583471"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583475,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583471\/revisions\/2583475"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}