Germany's Merz urges Iran to end Hormuz blockade, avoid Iraq conflict spillover

German Chancellor Merz publicly pressed Iran to halt its regional destabilization, specifically calling for an end to the Strait of Hormuz blockade and warning against carrying the conflict into Iraq, during a Berlin meeting with Iraqi PM al-Zaidi. The statement signals a hardening of Western diplomatic pressure on Iran amid ongoing tensions, though it remains unclear if this will translate into concrete action. The meeting underscores Germany's attempt to mediate and prevent a wider regional war.