German chancellor urges Iran to return to talks, reopen Strait of Hormuz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Iran to immediately return to negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

Merz made the remarks in a post on social media platform X following a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump during his return trip from China, Caliber.Az reports.

Gutes Telefonat mit @POTUS Donald Trump auf seiner Rückreise aus China. Wir sind uns einig: Iran muss jetzt an den Verhandlungstisch. Die Straße von Hormus muss geöffnet werden. Teheran darf keine Nuklearwaffen haben. (1/2)

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) May 15, 2026

“I had a good phone conversation with Donald Trump on his return trip from China. We agree: Iran must immediately sit down at the negotiating table. It must open the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons,” Merz wrote.

The German chancellor said the two leaders also discussed efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine and coordinated positions ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

“The United States and Germany are strong partners in a strong NATO,” Merz added.

By  Vafa Guliyeva